Finance to poor countries key for COP17 talks

6 Sep 2011

JOHANNESBURG: Governments will need to focus on financial support to developing countries at this year's climate change summit to be held in Durban, if these countries are to adapt to the effects of rapidly changing environmental conditions. COP17 (the 17th Congress of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change), will take place in Durban from 28 November to 9 December, 2011.

Speaking at a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) media breakfast session in Johannesburg, Dr Yannick Glemarec, the UNDPs director of environmental finance, said the issue of resources becomes a critical one as negotiators attempt to bridge the divide between developed and developing countries.

"Many countries already battle to achieve food security for their people, meet rising energy demands, and provide clean water and sanitation. Climate change is exacerbating these struggles, and will also pose challenges for human health, particularly through the migration of pests and a greater incidence of water-borne diseases," Glemarec said, adding that while developed countries bear much historic responsibility for current levels of greenhouse gases, emerging economies are at greater risk from the effects of these gases.

Africa, particularly vulnerable

The UNDP supports South Africa's hosting of COP17 and its efforts to reduce domestic greenhouse gas emissions, through advocacy, capacity-building, legacy projects, and side events at the conference itself.

Climate change has received worldwide attention due to the threats it poses to lives and sources of livelihoods for millions of people across the world. Africa is expected to be particularly vulnerable, because of its geographic location, its dependence on agriculture, and the number of Africans living in poverty.

The UNDP believes that developing countries will face three key climate finance challenges in the coming decade: Access to new and innovative sources of climate finance; Promotion of synergies between development and climate finance and the use and delivery of limited sources of public finance to catalyse climate capital

Developing countries will require technical assistance to address these challenges, mitigate climate change impacts, and seize new opportunities associated with the transition to a low-emission climate-resilient society.