Mexico climate talks: Tearfund's reaction

The agreement of world leaders at UN talks in Mexico to create a global fund to tackle climate change is a small step forward, according to Tearfund.

New life has been breathed into the international negotiations after leaders moved to establish a climate fund to help developing countries tackle climate change.

Laura Webster, Tearfund’s Head of Policy, said, ‘The wheels have been set in motion and key principles for a climate fund have been agreed. Moving forward we need to see money in the fund to ensure these wheels don’t fall off.

‘Countries must get behind the innovative public sources of finance proposed by the UN Secretary-General’s High Level Advisory Group.

Huge gap

‘These proposals demonstrate that it is possible to raise at least US$100 billion a year for climate action. Rather than inertia from world leaders, concrete measures are needed to take the recommendations forward.

‘The positive language on adaptation in the final text is only worthwhile if it is linked to increased funding, with at least half going to adaptation.’

Tearfund highlights that the agreement has noted existing emission reduction pledges.

However, there is a huge gap between these and what the science demands. Countries must now both clarify how they intend to close this gap.

Webster added, ‘In order to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees, developed countries need to put their shoulders to the wheel and establish a process to increase these targets.’