Oxfam and other NGOs issue strong warning: USA step up, or step aside

2011-12-06

Durban, South Africa – At a press conference today at the United Nations climate talks in Durban, civil society leaders representing some of the largest humanitarian and development organisations, unions, and environmental agencies in the world issued a strong warning call as negotiations enter the second week.
 
Celine Charveriat, Director of Advocacy and Campaigns, Oxfam, said: “The USA is pitching an alarming narrative to lock in a ten-year timeout with no new targets to lower emissions until 2020. This perilous course of action must be stopped dead in its tracks. The world’s poorest people, who are already suffering the impacts of a changing climate, simply cannot wait another decade for action to bring emissions in line with what science so clearly requires. If the USA insists on pushing this dangerous pathway, they must stand aside and allow other countries to move forward without them.”

Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director, Greenpeace International, said: "On Saturday, in Durban, the USA eviscerated draft language on mitigation that would have offered real protection to those who are being hardest and fastest hit by climate changes that are already happening. The time has come for the USA to stand aside. If it is not willing to save lives, save jobs and save whole ecosystems then it should get out of the way and let those who are willing move on. Any failure to move beyond USA obstructionism will be measured in lives.”
 
Jim Leape, Director General, WWF International, said: “We’re not done here. But what this process is not delivering is ambition on emissions reductions. And that is not the fault of the process. It is the fault of governments like the United States. In fact, there is not a single scenario on the table right now that allows us to avoid runaway climate change. With no ambition on emission reductions and an apparent timeline aimed at 2020 for implementation, we could end up legally bound to a 4 degree world. And that’s just unacceptable. So while politicians continue to bicker around the edges of the negotiations, we will be looking for leaders arriving this week to engage on the real issues here. Civil society members are here to address the urgent threat of climate change and ensure a future world where there is enough food, water and energy for all. It might be good to ask governments why they’re here.”
 
Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation, said: “To fail to act, risks the opportunity to build the green economy with secure jobs. The economic and social risk of climate change, multiplied by the instability of corporate globalisation and the resulting global financial crisis is a time bomb for all workers. Union members and their families will mobilise to build political power that will hold all politicians to account. The USA has got to stop blocking. They are either part of the global community, or they should stand aside.”

Photos are available at Oxfam international Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfam/sets/72157628287313155/.
A video is available from UN: http://unfccc4.meta-fusion.com/kongresse/cop17/templ/ovw_onDemand.php?id_kongressmain=201

-ENDS-

About Oxfam Hong Kong
Oxfam Hong Kong is an independent development and humanitarian organisation working against poverty and related injustice. We recognise that much poverty is caused by injustice and that poverty alleviation requires economic, social and structural change. We work with people facing poverty and with partner organisations on development, humanitarian, policy advocacy and public education programmes. Founded in 1976, Oxfam Hong Kong has worked in more than 70 countries.

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