SCIAF responds to new UN Climate Change Report

Today the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a new report that assesses the impacts of climate change, looking at ecosystems, biodiversity, and human communities at global and regional levels.

Dr Geraldine Hill, Advocacy Manager, Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, commented:  

“For SCIAF, the new report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns us the world is at a critical junction we must scale up efforts to help developing countries adapt to the climate crisis.  This landmark report shows 3 billion people are now highly vulnerable to climate impacts, and these are by and large in Africa, Latin America, South Asia and the Pacific. People here are already suffering from the impacts of a crisis that they did not cause.  

“With SCIAF’s work around the world, we see the devastation the climate crisis is causing, including the loss of lives and livelihoods. Just a few months ago, our partners in Malawi experienced yet another devastating tropical storm which has been attributed to climate change. The storm displaced thousands and killed dozens, sadly including 11 people SCIAF was working closely with. Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones.  

“Countries like Scotland must urgently get on track to reducing our own emissions as quickly as possible in line with the 1.5C global temperature goal, as well as providing urgent funding to help people on the frontlines of this crisis. The Scottish Government led the world at COP26 on providing funding for climate losses and damages experienced in the poorest nations – the world needs to step up and do the same. However, whilst this money is very welcome, Scotland has missed its own targets it set for itself over the last three years. We can’t talk a good game on the international stage and fail to deliver at home. We must give and we must act."

You can read the full report here.