Caritas says a deal reached at climate talks in Durban leaves the world facing a catastrophic
4C increase in global temperatures. The Durban COP17 summit ended with governments
agreeing to work towards a legal treaty that will bind developed and developing countries
to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The U.N. talks in South Africa extended the
1997 Kyoto Protocol, allowing five more years to reach a wider pact. Caritas welcomed
the progress made during talks, but says science shows it’s not enough to stop widespread
droughts and the creation of millions of migrants as food production collapses. Caritas
Internationalis Director of Advocacy and Policy Martina Liebsch said, “We are all
polluting the environment now and everyone, every country should take responsibility
for that.” Caritas says it was important to get the commitment at Durban towards a
legally binding deal on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement was in
large part due to leadership from a progressive alliance including the European Union
and poorer countries against the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia.It keeps
a narrow pathway open to avoid a 4C rise, but lacks the ambition needed to safeguard
millions of lives from the future impact of extreme weather caused by manmade climate
change. Caritas welcomed steps towards setting up a ‘Green Climate Fund’ for poorer
countries vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Every $1 spent now in mitigation
and adaptation will save $7 spent on emergencies. But Caritas regrets that countries
have not lived up to their pledges. Martina Liebsch said, “Money is urgently needed
to help the most poor and vulnerable to adapt to Global warming and its effects. “We
need to look at innovative funding resources such as a tax on maritime transport and
aviation as well as a financial transaction tax.” Caritas is urging governments to
move beyond the lowest common denominator deal in Durban and to use the Rio20+ meeting
to deliver a step-change in climate action.