G8 Summit 2008

Climate Change Adaptation in Developing Countries: What the G8 Has to Deliver

Discussion Paper by Germanwatch and WWF, July 2008

Summary

The G8 has a huge historical responsibility for causing climate change. Altogether, they contributed 42.5% of global CO2 emissions from energy use between 1992 and 2004 and more than 60% since 1850. Their cumulative per capita emissions since 1850 result in almost five times the world average. Whilst the G8 leaders are meeting the Arctic has surpassed all predictions for the speed and scale of arctic summer ice loss. Today (early summer 2008), most sea ice scientists agree that we are either at or past the tipping point of the arctic summer sea ice and talk of an ice free summer arctic by 2013. This massive iconic change in the earth’s system increasingly signals that the future consequences for humanity and especially the world’s poor are potentially devastating. The G8 must deliver swift and urgent action now to agree and implement ambitious short and long term mitigation reductions targets, fulfil their existing ODA commitments and pay for the costs of climate change by supporting adaptation where possible for those most affected countries.

KEY DEMANDS:

G8 countries must deliver on their development aid commitments
G8 have to implement 2020 mitigation targets in line with the 2°C limit
G8 countries have a key responsibility to support developing countries for adaption
G8 countries have to respect key principles for adaptation funding as enshrined in the UNFCCC
The proposed new Climate Investment Funds are not the sole answer for a future international financial architecture for climate and development.
The future for serious adaptation financing lies in new, binding and predictable mechanisms which deliver resources in addition to ODA commitments

Further information:

last updated 4 July 2008