Responding to the COP29 climate finance agreement, in which rich countries agreed to mobilise $300 billion a year to help Global South countries cope with warming temperatures and switch to renewable energy, Oxfam Ireland CEO, Jim Clarken said:
“This is a disastrous response by the rich countries of the world, to the climate disaster that is ravaging communities, countries and regions across the global south.
“$300 billion is a pittance compared to the amount needed to address the impact of climate driven hunger, forced displacement and death. Oxfam estimated that a meaningful contribution would be in the trillions. It is an affront to climate justice and a rejection of the principle of “polluter pays” which we were promised would be the central vision of COP29.
“The lack of proper investment will make tomorrow even more difficult for the communities who are struggling to harvest crops, to deal with extreme flooding and put food on the table for their families.
“I saw first-hand in Zambia and Zimbabwe this week, how climate change has brought on a humanitarian crisis with over 60 million people in southern Africa now dependent on aid to survive. I witnessed dams at their lowest levels in living memory and a Zambia Minister told me they realise they can no longer depend on hydropower (and solar) for their energy and must begin digging for coal. Today, that Minister will feel utterly betrayed by a global deal which will continue to force his country backwards to fossil fuels and localised famines.
“The outcome of COP29 shows us all that this gathering should never again be held in a petro-state, where the number of fossil fuel lobbyists eclipsed delegations from the most climate-vulnerable nations.
“At this COP, rich countries were allowed to evade their responsibility for causing climate change over the past century and for profiteering from planetary destruction.
“This is not the end of the struggle for global climate justice. We in Oxfam Ireland will continue to stand with our colleagues, friends and partners in the global south and demand a fairer deal for everyone”.
“This is a disastrous response by the rich countries of the world, to the climate disaster that is ravaging communities, countries and regions across the global south.
