PARIS (Dec.12, 2015) If countries adopt the climate agreement released in Paris today, the world will have reached a landmark moment in the fight against climate change, but it is still not enough for the world’s poorest people, says CARE, one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations.
Tonya Rawe, CARE’s Senior Advisor for Policy and Research, Food & Nutrition, said:
The Paris Agreement is a historic agreement for all countries to tackle the climate crisis together. Countries can rally around a goal that makes clear that the era of fossil fuels is over and vulnerable people around the world can hope for a safer climate.
The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of keeping global temperature increase below 1.5 degrees, puts adaptation on an equal footing with mitigation efforts, and recognizes the critical need for countries to collaborate to address loss and damage.
Human rights, gender equality, and food security are recognized as fundamental to efforts to tackle climate change.
With this agreement, countries have the tools and the moral obligation to ramp up their mitigation ambition, speed up their transition to renewables, and support poor countries and vulnerable communities to adapt.
The Paris Agreement marks a new, hopeful beginning in the fight against climate change. Now it’s time for countries to work at home and internationally to secure the promises made.
Ruth Mitei, Advocacy Advisor CARE International’s Adaptation Learning Programme for Africa said:
“The climate vulnerable countries, supported by the civil society, led the way to increasing the ambition of the climate deal. The inclusion of the 1.5°C temperature limit in the agreement is a big win for the world’s poorest people. Now governments must accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels to renewable energies, and avoid false solutions which threaten people’s food security.”
Sven Harmeling, Climate Change Advocacy Coordinator of CARE International said:
Politics block progress on loss and damage
“Climate change is already causing devastating impacts for poor people around the world. Developed countries politicized the issue of loss and damage in the Paris talks, trying to limit options for poor countries to deal with climate threats. With the Paris Agreement, all countries promise not to leave the poor behind. Developed countries now leave Paris with an even higher moral obligation to rapidly cut their emissions and scale up financial support for the most vulnerable people.”
Battle over human rights and gender equality
“Civil society and a broad coalition of countries fought hard to ensure that human rights and gender equality are enshrined in the Paris deal. The Paris Agreement can be a springboard for strengthened action on human rights and climate change, if all countries deliver on their promises.”
The fight for climate justice isn’t finished
“The next five years are critical for scaling up climate action across the world before the Paris Agreement comes into force in 2020 and to deliver the promises made in Paris. The climate problem has not yet been solved; as the poorest and most vulnerable people will continue to bear the brunt of climate impacts, CARE will continue the fight for climate justice.”
About CARE
Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package®, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor girls and women because, equipped with the proper resources, they have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. Last year CARE worked in 90 countries and reached more than 72 million people around the world. To learn more, visit www.care.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
To arrange an interview in Paris with CARE International’s climate change experts, contact Viivi Erkkilä, CARE International’s Climate Change Press and Communications Coordinator: verkkila@careclimatechange.org or +44 (0)7 7924 54130;
OR Laury-Anne Bellessa, CARE France’s Media Relations Manager at bellessa@carefrance.org or +33 6246 18537