CARE's Dr. Gayle Troubled by Adaptation Text in Copenhagen

Heading into the homestretch of negotiations at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, the poverty-fighting group CARE is concerned about the lack of adequate financial commitments to vulnerable communities most impacted by climate change. Equally troubling is draft language – made public this morning – that could guide how adaptation assistance is implemented. CARE President and CEO Dr. Helene Gayle released the following statement in response:

Forget fears of a walkout. Poor people around the world are facing a 'talkout' in Copenhagen. As pen hits paper, all the talk about giving the most vulnerable a say in how they adapt to climate change has given way to a draft agreement that renders them voiceless. Least responsible for the problem but forced to live with its harshest effects, poor people must be partners alongside national governments and multilateral organizations in finding solutions to one of the greatest challenges of our time.

This setback comes one day after developing nations stalled negotiations and flirted with the idea of a walkout, saying their concerns were being ignored. The talks have resumed, but so have fears that poor people will be the ones to lose out in the end. Specifically, CARE is urging delegates to assure that any final agreement includes:

• Language prioritizing the world's most vulnerable populations. Otherwise, adaptation resources are unlikely to reach the people who need it most.
• A country-driven, gender-sensitive approach. Women shoulder the greatest burdens of climate change and are best positioned to help their families adapt.
• Language guaranteeing all relevant stakeholders are involved. For adaptation programs to work, vulnerable people must participate in decision-making that impacts their community at all stages of adaptation, from design to implementation to monitoring and reporting. This will assure inclusiveness and ownership.
• Strong near-term and long-term financial commitments to help poor communities strengthen their resilience in the face of climate change.

About CARE: CARE fights root causes of poverty in 72 countries around the world.  We place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. CARE is helping the most world's most vulnerable communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.