No time for bartering on climate change

5.33.53pm GMT Tue 1st Dec 2009

Local Euro MP Catherine Bearder, attending an international meeting in Angola, demanded that the EU provide additional funding for developing countries to tackle climate change.

The majority of carbon emissions come from the developed world, but the worst effects of climate change are felt in the developing world.

In a speech during the session of the joint EU-ACP Assembly (African, Caribbean and Pacific countries) in Angola, Catherine argued, "this is not the time for political bartering, but for doing what needs to be done!" She said, "climate change will disproportionately affect different parts of the globe, and in many cases will pose more challenges to those who contributed the least to Global warming, and they are the least able to deal with its repercussions."

Catherine revealed, "I am terrified that if Copenhagen fails it will affect everyone on earth."

She asserted that "Europe must be willing to substantially increase the assistance currently on offer to finance mitigation and adaption projects in the ACP countries and across the developing world. We will not be forgiven if we stand by and leave them to face this on their own."

On Thursday the inter-parliamentary meeting will be debating a resolution demanding action ahead of the UN meeting in Copenhagen. This resolution goes with the one passed by the European Parliament last week in Strasbourg.