Bruce presses case for climate change cash for poorest (East Renfrewshire Liberal Democrats)

East Renfrewshire Liberal Democrats <info@eastrenfrewshirelibdems.org.uk>

Bruce presses case for climate change cash for poorest

October 26, 2009 11:24 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

At a meeting of legislators from around the world taking place in Copenhagen this weekend, Liberal Democrat MP for Gordon, Malcolm Bruce, pressed the Danish PM Lars Lokke Rasmussen to ensure that the poorest countries be fully included in any agreement concluded at the Climate Change summit at Copenhagen in December.

Mr Bruce, who chairs the International Development Committee in the House of Commons, said:

"The poorest countries in the world are the victims of climate change which the developed and emerging economies have caused. They need funding for adapting to the consequences of climate change and access to technology to enable them to develop their economies using green, sustainable means.

"G20 countries must not forget that low income countries may find it difficult to sign up for a deal if there is not substantial cash on the table and that could prejudice the whole outcome."

Mr Rasmussen told Mr Bruce that he wanted an agreement in December that provided a legal framework and guidelines to deliver real reductions in greenhouse emissions fairly apportioned. He agreed that this must include finance for the poorest countries. He told the meeting he believed such an agreement was possible.

Danish Climate Change Minister Connie Hedegaard added that finding the $100 billion a year for climate change measures by 2020 could be achieved through a carbon market and other environmental measures and was therefore, she said, "do-able".

Mr Bruce commented,

"I welcome and support Mr Rasmussen's ambition as host for the December summit. Poor people in the poorest countries are suffering the effects of climate change now and are threatened with far worse in the future. They need resources and practical action now if they are to see the benefit of an agreement at Copenhagen."

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