At COP27, we call on the most responsible countries to treat this planetary crisis with the global attention and urgency that it deserves. Because if we do not address this challenge together, we will not address it at all.
Why is this important?
Droughts. Floods. Cyclones. Heatwaves. Rising sea levels. Crop failures. Livestock deaths. Gender-based violence.
The effects of climate change are becoming more destructive every year. Women, girls and marginalised communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Pacific regions are being hit the hardest, even though they have done little to cause the climate crisis.
Yet they have no access to funds to recover from the “loss and damage” caused by devastating climate impacts.
And in the aftermath of climate disasters women and girls living in poverty are particularly at risk of hunger, starvation, violence, exploitation, loss of education and livelihoods, and deepening debt.
But women have a unique and critical role to play in leading the fight against climate change in their communities and designing inclusive and sustainable solutions to build climate resilience and help safeguard lives and livelihoods.
With the governments of the world set to gather at the United Nations’ COP27 climate negotiations in Egypt this November, the UK and other governments must address this injustice.
Wealthier nations are responsible for producing the vast majority of planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions. These countries have a moral obligation to support recovery and rebuilding efforts in the vulnerable parts of the world that they have directly impacted.
To the UK, EU, US, and Australian governments in particular, we call on you to agree to establish a new funding facility at COP27 to address climate-induced loss and damage.
Photo: Floods in Nepal / ActionAid