Mr. Chairperson,
We are currently witnessing how environmental degradation and climate change are undermining our efforts to attain the Millennium Development Goals. Time is ripe to fully recognize the multitude of links between MDG 7 and the other MDGs, specifically poverty eradication.
Poor people are consistently those most affected by climate change. We are still in the early stages of seeing its full impact. The situation is going to get worse. Most of all for the world’s poorest. We must all, developed as developing countries work to lower our greenhouse gas emissions. Adaptation to climate change is a necessity for all countries.
The challenge is to know WHAT to do, to DO IT and to do it WELL.
Development and adaptation go together. To me, ‘adaptation to climate change’ are the measures needed to achieve development outcomes under increasingly unstable climate conditions.
Thus, on my first point, WHAT to do, I have the honour of chairing the international Commission on Climate Change and Development. The Commission will propose ways to integrate risk reduction and adaptation to climate change into the development and poverty reduction plans of poor countries. It is also to present proposals for how to design development cooperation programs that take into account climate impacts and the risk of disasters.
In our final report, expected this spring, we aim to present conclusions on how to mobilize resources for adaptation measures and to be explicit on the link between development and adaptation.
On my second point, DO IT: resources promised must be provided!
Numbers vary, but all estimates concur that amounts needed to address climate change are enormous.
The Swedish government is assigning more than 585 million US dollars (from the increase in our development assistance budget), specifically to issues relating to climate change and development. This money is additional funding, on top of what we are already doing. The contributions will primarily be allocated through existing multilateral channels, but also through bilateral cooperation, with a specific focus on Africa.
And thirdly, we must DO IT WELL. The Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness must be respected. As I said already in Accra, I am concerned by the proliferation and fragmentation of new funds and initiatives for adaptation. As donors we must act in a coordinated and harmonized way, and align our support with our partner countries’ national priorities. The trust deficit which has permeated relations between developing and developed countries can only be overcome by honouring our previous commitments. The Accra Agenda for Action is the way forward.
Development cooperation can play an active role in preventing and alleviating the negative effects of climate change and counteracting environmental degradation. Thus, development and environment agendas need to be linked together. Only in this way can we successfully achieve all the MDGs.
Thank You.
The Government of Sweden provides new funding package for climate change and development
The Government of Sweden is allocating more than 585 million US dollars in additional support to climate-related development assistance over the period 2009-2011.
Addressing climate change is a pre-condition for reaching the MDGs. The main objective of the package is therefore to contribute to and support adaptation to climate change in the poorest countries, including risk reduction and integration of adaptation into development planning in the long-term. A lesser component of the package is reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries through the dissemination of advanced technologies and promotion of energy efficiency measures.
The money stems from an overall increase in the development assistance budget, on top of funding for climate change and development already provided, and can therefore be considered as additional funding.
In order to avoid further complicating the aid architecture, and in line with the Paris Declaration, funds will primarily be allocated through existing multilateral channels, such as facilities established under the UNFCCC. Support will also be provided bilaterally to partner countries, with a specific focus on Africa.