1 Challenges for faith-based agencies, the Churches and their agencies! Nelson Muffuh Christian Aid Climate Change, Poverty & Development

2 Some basics Climate change is happening – global warming is taking place at an alarming rate It is essentially man-made It is affecting people – particularly in developing countries It is a global emergency requiring urgent action. If we act now, we can make a difference

3 Why Christians should be involved Poverty: it is affecting poor people and poor countries Development: we need sustainable development Justice: crisis has been caused by rich nations and rich people Moral & theological issues – we can and must do something about it

4 Minu Basar: 38 year old mother from coastal village in Bangladesh

5 Triple Crisis ■Poverty & Inequality ■Threat from Climate Change ■Lack of political will & global leadership Minu Basar has scarcely emitted a single tonne of CO2 in her life

6 What is the challenge – if the world is to survive? To cap global emissions To enable people in developing countries to have a future To get an equitable, globally accepted Climate Change agreement We cannot ask poor people and developing countries to bear the burden of our challenge

7 The UNFCCC Asks all to play a part in avoiding a climate catastrophe How may this work? ■Greenhouse Development Rights (GDRs) ■Core UN principle of responsibility and capacity

8 GDRs have come up with some basic principles Big cuts fast in the rich world No offsetting of the rich world cuts Binding cuts for the rich world on top of their domestic obligations Sharing important technology Countries to adapt to Climate Change Measurable cuts in poorer countries

9 So what action can we take to tackle Climate Change? Make the UN process work – churches, CSOs, peoples’ movements, development and environmental agencies Climate Change should become an urgent political issue in which corporations, governments, international agencies must be challenged

10 Key Dates December 2007 – 13 th UNFCCC negotiations April 2008 – Bangkok Climate Change Talks June 2008 – Climate meeting in Bonn August 2008 – Climate meeting in Ghana December 2008 – Climate meeting in Poznan, Poland Several (at least 8weeks) of climate talks spread out throughout 2009 December 2009 – Copenhagen Climate Conferences (COP15) End of 2012 – Deadline for ratification of a new Climate deal

11 So what can we do as an ecumenical family? Faith-based stakeholders can continue their long history of involvement ■Take leadership Focus on influencing, supporting and accompanying the UN process: ■Demand a fair agreement ■Strong and vocal leadership from churches ■Empowered and well-informed delegations from the South making a difference at the UNFCCC negotiations

12 What else can we do? Work towards equity, poverty eradication and sustainable development Help provide a theological, moral and ethical framework Encourage personal choice Keep up pressure – it works! (focus on UN process)