By Innocent Onoh
Those who feel that developing countries are too engaged with their political conflicts and civil strife and do not have time to worry about the effects of Climate Change should read this. As the UN General Assembly convenes in New York, poor African nations and others in Southern Asia, the Pacific and Caribbean, classified as the group of Least Developed Countries, LDCs, have called on heads of state and government to reaffirm their pledge to tackle climate change.
In the words of the Chairman of the LDC group, Mr. Gebru Endalew, “the urgent need for serious climate action has never been clearer. Over the past months we have seen devastating events exacerbated by climate change, from deadly hurricanes and flooding, to wildfires and heat-waves. No corner of our planet is safe from climate impacts. Global temperatures have already risen 1.1°C and the frequency and severity of these events will only worsen with further warming.”
The group wants the heads of states and governments to commit themselves to fair and concrete climate solutions that will protect all people as well as the planet. Mr. Endalew continued, “There is a widening gulf between the climate finance that is provided and mobilised and the reality of finance received and needed. Without adequate climate finance and support to developing countries, mainly LDCs and Small Island Developing States (SIDS)are left without a lifeline. Many trillions of dollars are required to implement the Paris Agreement.”
According to the group Chairman, “The LDCs are committed to being at the frontline of the clean energy revolution. The LDC Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Initiative will deliver sustainable climate action and lift communities out of poverty. If we are truly to set the planet on a safe course, all countries, and particularly those who contribute the most to climate change, must follow suit. Renewable energy has the power to place us on a path to a cleaner, fairer and more prosperous world for all.”
The LDC Group will convene in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, next week for a Ministerial and Strategy Meeting to make progress on climate and sustainable development priorities, guided by justice, equity and ambition
