Responding to the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change [1], Green Party MP has said:
“This report sounds what should be a deafening alarm bell about
the urgency of tackling the climate emergency and, in stark
terms, makes clear that the impacts of the climate crisis are
greater than many feared.
“With the Red Cross already warning that around two million
people a week need humanitarian assistance because of the impacts
of climate breakdown, it’s clear that we’re facing not just an
environmental crisis, but a humanitarian emergency of monumental
proportions.
“One of the most terrifying parts of the report are the impacts
of extreme weather which it predicts are already baked in, even
if the world succeeds in limiting global heating to 1.5C above
pre-industrial levels.
“That means there must be a ramping up of investment in
adaptation, including in the UK where the Government’s own
independent advisors say it has long been ‘underfunded and
ignored’. When the impacts of the climate emergency are already
upon us, adaptation can no longer be left to the
side-lines.
“The COP26 Presidency must also ensure that rich countries
finally come-good on their existing finance commitments and that
new and additional adaptation finance is prioritised for the
post-2025 goal.
“Just over 100 days have now passed since the Glasgow
Climate Pact was agreed, with its renewed commitment to limit
global heating to 1.5 degrees – but we have seen little action.
And in the UK, Ministers perversely plan for more domestic oil
and gas in response to the global gas crisis.
“The dangers of our addiction to fossil fuels are clear and the
Government must stop pouring fuel on the fire to avoid the worst
impacts of the climate crisis. This means urgently ruling out
future oil and gas licences, delivering a just transition for
workers and investing in clean and bountiful renewable energy.
“Crucially this report shows that there is a deep injustice at
the heart of the climate emergency. Whilst nowhere is safe
from the impacts of the climate crisis, those in the poorest
countries will be hardest hit.
“We cannot leave those on the front lines of this crisis to bear
its costs alone, and as COP26 President, the UK must heed the
call for new finance for loss and damage and do much more to
build consensus ahead of COP27. Rich Governments cannot continue
to turn a blind eye to this moral issue.”
ENDS
Notes
1
https://www.ipcc.ch/2022/02/28/pr-wgii-ar6/
