Zahira Kharsany

“The world is confronted by an alarming paradox. The poorest countries – who are not to blame – are suffering from climate change that has come about [from actions] by the developed world.”

Rising oceans are swallowing up much-needed land in countries such as the Philippines and Bangladesh; across the ocean a country like Ghana – reliant on hydropower – has seen decreasing power availability due to drought.

The common denominator? Climate change – the target of much international aid in recent years. But participants at a discussion on Climate Change Adaptation and Aid Effectiveness at the High Level Forum on Tuesday said rich countries, who had caused the problem in the first place, need to do more to help the poor.

“We need to reduce the greenhouse gases that are affecting the poorest people in the world,” said Johan Schaar, Director of the Secretariat to the Commission on Climate Change and Development. “Much more resources are needed,” he said. “Climate change has social impacts.”

While a focus on adaptation to climate change is likely to continue, panelists noted that without a similar focus on mitigation, climate change would likely reach a point where “adaptation becomes impossible for some natural systems, while for most human societies it would involve very high social and economic costs.”

Bernard Petit, deputy director general of the Directorate-General for Development at the European Commission, echoed Schaar’s comments.

“The world is confronted by an alarming paradox. The poorest countries – who are not to blame – are suffering from climate change that has come about [from actions] by the developed world. It is a political and moral responsibility of the rich nations to aid those affected by climate change. We need to collectively and immediately act,” said Petit.

According to the Climate Change and Development Commission, efforts must be focused on agreeing on and implementing greenhouse gas (GHG) limitation activities and the process of adapting to the changing climate system.

However, Petit noted that ownership should define a country’s own adaptation strategy in order to ensure real and democratic ownership.

He said that while climate change was “fashionable” at present, rich countries need to show a commitment by taking immediate action to reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent.

Tony Tujan, chairperson of the Reality of Aid Network, pointed out that there were no clear geographical boundaries with climate change, which presented donors and recipients with new challenges and opportunities when it comes to aid. But Tujan warned that aid for combating climate change should not come with conditionalities.

“Decisions on which technical assistance to use must come from the people in the South,” he said.

Mary Robinson, director of Realizing Rights – The Ethical Globalisation Initiative, expressed concern that none of the panelists had reflected the impact of climate change on women and the role they played in this arena.

“The panel was very welcome but it was a panel of four men and none of them hinted at women and the role of women.” Robinson also noted that climate change was directly linked to human rights – and this had not been addressed adequately.