COP26 is the international community’s best, perhaps only, chance to address the threat of climate change, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Speaking to a virtual gathering of Scottish business and investment leaders today, the First Minister said that welcoming the international climate change conference to Scotland was a huge honour, carrying major responsibility.
Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland, welcomed the First Minister’s commitment to lead by example ahead of COP26 but urged all political parties in Scotland to remember the world’s poorest in the race to reach net zero. He said: “Scotland’s emissions reduction targets are rightly ambitious, but they’re only part of the puzzle.
“Right now, people in the world’s poorest countries are being left to pick up the climate bill for a tab they never created; losing their lives and homes while rich, historically big polluting countries offer too little financial support to help them cope.
“While the world burns, Scotland’s own fund to help poor countries cope with climate change has remained frozen for five years. It’s vital that ahead of COP26 Scotland demonstrates global leadership by increasing the amount of financial support it offers countries on the front line of the climate crisis while encouraging other countries to do similarly.”
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For more information and interviews, please contact: Rebecca Lozza, Oxfam Scotland Media and Communications Adviser: rlozza1@oxfam.org.uk / 07917738450
Notes to editors:
- In its paper, Care, climate and Covid-19: building a wellbeing economy for Scotland, Oxfam Scotland calls for the Scottish Government to increase the level of financial support it offers poor countries on the frontline of the climate crisis, by boosting its Climate Justice Fund from £3 million per year to £10 million per year.