What can Governments do at the UN climate talks in wake of Philippines Typhoon Haiyan

Speaking on the second day of the United Nations Climate Change talks in Warsaw Kelly Dent, Oxfam’s spokesperson said;

“Oxfam and other agencies are right now working hard to get aid such as clean water and sanitation to communities in the Philippines that have been devastated by the typhoon.

“Governments are also providing much needed assistance to the relief efforts but this does not absolve them from their responsibilities to work just as urgently here at the Climate Change talks in Warsaw to take appropriate action.

“They must agree an international mechanism on loss and damage which addresses the impacts of climate change such as loss of life or nations. Rich countries must also spell out how they plan to deliver the promised $100 billion a year by 2020 for climate finance and right here, right now commit money to help poor countries cope with the impacts of climate change.  

“It is totally unacceptable for governments to ignore this tragic wake-up call - without such urgency and concrete action to drive down emissions and provide climate finance more countries like the Philippines will face the devastating consequences of extreme weather events in the years to come.”