Archived press release

US backs $100bn climate fund

17 December 2009

Commenting on US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton's support for a $100bn climate fund at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen earlier today, Andy Atkins, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, said:

"The US is finally waking up to its responsibility to provide money for developing countries - but this proposal must be judged on the cold details, rather than warm words.

"The proposed $100 billion fund is well short of UN estimates needed to properly tackle climate change - and too much of this money currently comes from repackaged aid money and a massive expansion of carbon markets.

"This is a dangerous strategy which risks a double whammy of financial and environmental catastrophe.

"To effectively tackle both climate change and poverty, the US should offer significantly higher cuts in emissions in line with what the science demands, and ensure that funding developing countries is new cash from public sources."

Notes to Editors:

1. At the Copenhagen talks, Friends of the Earth is calling for:

• Rich countries to fulfil their legal and moral responsibility cut emissions first and fast - and pledge to cut emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2020 at home without offsetting
• The leaders of rich countries to abandon their promotion of carbon
trading - an irresponsible and dangerous gamble which will do nothing to protect us from catastrophic climate change;
• Proposals to be scrapped which would allow rich countries to buy chunks of forest whilst continuing to pump out emissions: an approach which won't solve climate change or halt deforestation.

2. Friends of the Earth International is one of the key organisers of the alternative people's summit known as the Klimaforum with allied organisations such as La Via Campesina and the World March of Women. Thousands of voices demanding climate justice will also be presented in a 'climate capsule' exhibition at the Klimaforum and Bella Centre.

3. Friends of the Earth is part of Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, the UK's largest group of people dedicated to action on climate change and limiting its impact on the world's poorest communities. The coalition's supporter base of more than 11 million people spans over 100 organisations, from environment and development charities to unions, faith, community and women's groups. Together we demand practical action by the UK to keep temperatures well below an average 2 degree rise. For further information visit www.stopclimatechaos.org.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust