CARE responds to COP15 outcome

"What came out after two weeks of negotiations is hugely disappointing to all of us and in particular to the world's poorest people," said Poul Erik Lauridsen, Climate Change Advocacy Coordinator for CARE. "It is clear that the 'Copenhagen Outcome' will not keep the world on track to stay well below 2 degrees of global warming, nor deliver sufficient funding to enable people living in extreme poverty to adapt to the impacts of climate change."

"We are faced with a very costly delay; costs that are to be measured in human lives, and in dollars. The world cannot afford more delays in tackling climate change as it is already causing floods, droughts and hunger in developing countries," Lauriden said. "Leaders might fail to agree on ambitious action, but we cannot fail poor people."

Although disappointed by the outcome of COP15, CARE believes that now is not the time to play the 'blame game' and push responsibility for the lack of results in Copenhagen around. "This will not get us anywhere," Lauridsen said. "We need to move forward - rapidly. Pointing fingers will not help poor and vulnerable communities that face a changing climate. We must strengthen our resolve and keep working towards sealing a fair and ambitious deal in 2010. Poor and vulnerable people cannot afford any more delays."

Lauridsen points out that although Copenhagen has failed to deliver the ambitious agreement we need, it is not the end of the road. "The world still expects political leaders to deliver a real climate deal. We now have more hard work ahead of us to finalize and reach a legally binding global agreement in the coming year. Science is very clear, and we have to act. It is fundamental that we all keep working to protect the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable people who suffer most from climate change."

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To learn more about CARE's activities at COP15, visit our Live from COP15: Video Blog where nearly 20 videos are accessible featuring CARE staff and partners.