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Confidence Needs To Be Restored Urgently at the Cancun Talks - IUCN

Cancun, Mexico, 29 November, 2010 (IUCN) - Governments must restore confidence in the negotiation process of the UNFCCC in Cancun by increasing climate funding and ensuring natural solutions are part of the post-2012 regime, says IUCN.

“Only an equitable, comprehensive and legally binding agreement will bring the much needed international commitment to manage the climate crisis," says IUCN’s Director of Environment and Development Stewart Maginnis. "What governments should focus on in Cancun is ensuring that confidence in the UNFCCC process is rebuilt, which will bring us a step closer to that final deal.”

Adaptation, finance and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) are some of the key issues on the table of the 194-nation talks. An Adaptation Framework will move negotiations forward, according to IUCN. “Vulnerable developing countries in particular are already struggling to cope with the impacts of climate change,” says Ninni Ikkala, IUCN’s Climate Change Coordinator. “A global Adaptation Framework is needed to provide international support for urgently needed adaptation actions on the ground, including managing natural resources better and making sure that local communities benefit from them.”

Fast track and long-term funding plans will bring back lost confidence in the process, says IUCN. New and additional financial means for adaptation to climate change impacts and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions must be made available.

“We need to move away from the post-Copenhagen paralysis,” says Claire Parker, Senior Climate Change Policy Advisor. “Developing countries need to see money that is additional to Official Development Assistance in order to be able to adapt now to the impacts they are already facing and to reduce their emissions.”

Governments also need to close the deal on REDD plus and reach an agreement to make it a central part of the new climate deal. “Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while at the same time conserving forest natural resources on which millions of vulnerable people depend, is a win-win solution for people and nature,” says Carole Saint-Laurent, IUCN’s Senior Forest Policy Adviser .“It has been one of the most promising developments in the negotiations so far, and now it is time for a further push by governments to make REDD plus an integral part of the future climate deal.”

ENDS

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