Climate change talks not just about money, but also solidarity: UN expert
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Virginia Dandan, Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity
World governments are being urged to see beyond the cost of climate change in terms of money, and to adopt a strong commitment to international solidarity as a key element towards a successful round of UN climate change talks opening next week in Doha, Qatar.
The call comes from UN Independent Expert Virginia Dandan.
Charles Appel reports.
Representatives from 194 countries begin meeting in Doha from Monday, November 26 to December 7 to try, among other issues, to extend the Kyoto Protocol, the existing plan for curbing greenhouse gas emissions by developed nations which expires at the end of 2012.
UN Independent Expert Virginia Dandan who is charged by the UN Human Rights Council to study the issue of international solidarity warns that "the costs of climate change to humanity cannot be covered only by accomplishing the commitments in finance for adaptation and mitigation."
She says "the international community must be prepared to give much more than money."
Ms. Dandan suggests that "International solidarity can be the bridge to support nations affected by impacts of climate change, whether rich or poor".
She argues that "International solidarity on climate change is key to help building a global constituency for more equitable arrangements for climate change, particularly on investments, finance, aid, debt, technology transfer, intellectual property, migration, environment and the global partnership for development."
The UN Independent Expert also called upon developed countries not to back down from their longstanding commitments, and at the same time, asked those new polluters to do their part in the process.
Charles Appel, United Nations
Duration: 1'26"
