CAFOD welcomes government pledge to Green Climate Fund

CAFOD has welcomed the UK Government’s pledge to commit £720 million to the Green Climate Fund which will go to help the poorest countries adapt to the effects of climate change and develop in a sustainable way.

Commenting on the Green Climate Fund announcement, Chris Bain, CAFOD director, said: “This is good news for all those who are already suffering from the adverse effects of a changing climate. We know from our own research that nearly half of those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change are already living in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $1.25 a day. Our faith calls us to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering, which is why CAFOD has launched its One Climate, One World campaign calling on politicians to stop climate change pushing people deeper into poverty.
 
“The UK government has shown leadership here by designating £720m from the UK’s existing aid budget to the Green Climate Fund, money which will be used by developing countries to help them cope with the impacts of the changing climate and invest in sustainable development. In joining the likes of France, Germany, Japan and the US in making a commitment to the fund, the UK has set a positive tone for next month’s UN climate talks in Peru, where we hope to see other governments honouring their commitments to developing countries and showing the level of ambition we need to tackle the scale of this challenge.”

Thirty countries have pledged £9.3billion to the Green Climate Fund. For more information see: www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30125443