Governments at the UN climate talks in Cancun, Mexico, managed to approve a series of tangible if modest steps that set up a 'global climate fund' to help poor nations create a mechanism to share clean technologies, protect tropical forests and help the poor adapt to impacts ranging from storms to rising sea levels, says IUCN.
Photo: UNFCCC
“The progress in Cancun puts talks back on track and revives hopes that a wider, legally binding treaty that sets concrete and credible targets to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions is possible in the future,” says Stewart Maginnis, IUCN’s Director of Environment and Development. "Under Mexico’s strong leadership and guidance, governments in Cancun have ensured that confidence in the UNFCCC process is being rebuilt, which brings us a step closer to that final deal.”
Adaptation, finance and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) were some of the key issues IUCN wanted to see the 194-nation talks move forward on. Today’s deal is a move in the right direction, but in the end, only an equitable, comprehensive and legally binding agreement will bring the much needed international commitment to manage the climate crisis, says IUCN.
“We have moved away from the post-Copenhagen paralysis,” says Claire Parker, Senior Climate Change Policy Advisor. “Developing countries can now see new money on the table which they can draw on to adapt to the impacts they’re already facing and reduce emissions.”
The inclusion of REDD as part of the Cancun deal is a key step toward resolving the issue of climate change, says IUCN.
“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while at the same time conserving forest natural resources on which millions of vulnerable people depend, is a win-win solution for people and nature,” adds Maginnis. “It has been one of the most promising developments in the negotiations so far, and now this further push by governments makes REDD an integral part of the climate deal.”
IUCN welcomes the recognition of women within the deal struck on REDD and elsewhere in the agreement. Women make up 70% of the world's poor and provide up to 90% of the food in forest-dependent communities. They depend on forest resources for gathering fuelwood, forest fruits, vegetables and medicines.
Spokespeople:
Stewart Maginnis, Director of Environment and Development, e. stewart.maginnis@iucn.org (En)
Ninni Ikkala, Climate Change Coordinator, e. ninni.ikkala@iucn.org (Sp/En)
Claire Parker, Senior Climate Change Policy Advisor, e. claire.n.parker@btopenworld.com (Fr/En)
For more information or to set up interviews, please contact:
Brian Thomson, IUCN Media Relations, t. +41 797218326, e. brian.thomson@iucn.org
Borjana Pervan, IUCN Media Relations, t. +41 798574072, e. borjana.pervan@iucn.org
