December 14, 2023–COP28 secured historic agreements on fossil fuel transition and the Loss and Damage Fund. However, countries in the Global South have been let down by the lack of support for adaptation.
Sven Harmeling, Global Policy Lead, CARE Climate Justice Centre, said: “COP28 has signalled that the fossil fuel era is coming to an end. While we are disappointed the agreement doesn’t go further, the fossil fuel industry is now on the ropes. Operationalisation of the Loss and Damage is hugely significant for climate justice. However, the deal is weak on adaptation finance. Wealthy and high emitting countries must keep their promises and view this agreement as a floor for their ambition, not a ceiling.”
On the finance negotiations, John Nordbo, Senior Climate Adviser, CARE Denmark, said: “Sadly, developing countries have not yet seen the delivery of support required to confront the climate crisis. They are being asked to pick up much of the bill for the climate crisis. Longer term finance for Loss and Damage is completely missing. And the deal doesn’t deliver a firm commitment to developing countries on increased support for energy transformation nor climate adaptation.”
On adaptation, Obed Koringo, Climate Policy Adviser, CARE Denmark, based in Nairobi, said: “The COP28 outcome has failed to live up to our expectations on adaptation, especially on increasing finance and developing a robust framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation. Adaptation is a life and death issue for people living in developing countries, particularly women and girls in Africa who are already being affected by devastating climate change impacts. Existing promises on adaptation finance must be met in full without delay, while the New Collective Quantifiable Goal, to be agreed in 2024 at COP29, needs to be radically more ambitious.”
On the Loss and Damage Fund, Fanny Petitbon, Head of Advocacy, CARE France, said: “COP28 demonstrates that pressure from countries and civil society really matters. Operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund was a landmark day for climate justice after 30 years of rich countries blocking the way. At last, the Fund will provide support for people affected by the worst impacts of climate change. However, the funding pledges by wealthy countries have been derisory. We literally need one thousand times more than the current pledges to respond to the real costs of Loss and Damage.”
On mitigation, Mrityunjoy Das, Deputy Director, Humanitarian and Climate Action Programme, CARE Bangladesh, said: “Wealthy and high emitting countries must take urgent action to phase out fossil fuels. They have reaped the rewards of oil, gas and coal expansion, in the pretext of ‘phase down’ and ‘transitional fuel’, while people living in the poorest communities in the world are paying with their lives and assets. Only a deep and rapid phase out of fossil fuels will keep 1.5 degrees within reach.”
On gender, Rosa van Driel, Advocacy Adviser, CARE Netherlands, said: “COP28 fell short in achieving significant progress on gender-just climate action. With only 15 women among 133 world leaders present, and almost twice as many men in country negotiating teams compared to women, it is no surprise that gender-just language was removed or watered down. Looking ahead, COP29 is a critical moment for women and girls as the current gender It is time to turn promises into action by investing in local women leaders, prioritizing inclusive decision-making, and making sure climate finance reaches women and girls at the frontlines of the climate crisis.”
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Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package℠, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization working around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice. CARE puts women and girls at the centre of our work because we know we cannot overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities. CARE develops solutions alongside women and girls to lift themselves, their families, and communities out of poverty and out of crisis. CARE works in over 100 countries around the world.
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