Global activists acknowledge small victories
GLOBAL activist and environmental NGOs are acknowledging even the smallest of victories at the world’s largest climate change conference.
And a small victory from this year’s COP27 in Egypt is the establishment of a Loss and Damage financing facility which would cover vulnerable nations impacted the most from climate damage.
Among the countries that have pledged funding are Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, and New Zealand.
While this has been a cause for celebration for some, activists say the fight is far from over. According to 350.org, the setting up of a loss and damage finance facility was welcome.
However, it stated the failure of the COP27 final outcomes text to include critical language to phase out to fossil fuels threatened such gains.
350.org stated that the use of fossil fuels would further fuel climate change and lead to increased losses and damage.
Joseph Sikulu, regional director for 350.org Pacific, said the creation of a fund for loss and damage highlighted in the final text was a clear result of the pressure from the most impacted nations and the civil society.
“It is a signal that we finally got some rich nations to acknowledge the need to compensate our communities for the losses they have been facing for decades,” he said.
“All the vulnerable and historically not responsible countries need to be able to access funds when they need it. Each one of us will go from here, back to our communities and constituencies, and we will have a story to tell of our anger and rage at the failure of some countries to step up, but also of the new and strengthened connections we have made. We will not and we will never be defeated.”
In Fiji, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama took to Twitter to thank those who negotiated the deal on behalf of the Pacific.
“From the bottom of my heart, vinaka vakalevu to our tireless Pacific negotiators for securing a loss and damage fund at #COP27 . You represent those who stand to lose the most to this crisis, and you have fought the hardest to see climate justice delivered,” he tweeted.
Attorney-General and Minister responsible for Climate Change Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum also congratulated the negotiators who reached the deal on his Twitter page.
“To our negotiators at COP27 –thank you. Back home, we’re ready to turn your victory on loss and damage into real wins for our most vulnerable citizens through our proven plan to deliver real protection, move communities, and support those whose livelihoods are most at-risk,” he tweeted.