By RTCC Staff
The economic progress of the world’s developing countries could stall or even reverse by 2050 if swift and drastic measures are not taken to combat the effects of climate change.
A new report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), ‘Sustainability and Equity – A better future for all’, argues that environmental damage and social inequality are restricting potential in the global south.
Sub-Saharan Africa is identified as being at particular risk, with highlands that are sensitive to changes in climate, combined with a low capacity to adapt.
Pacific Islanders who rely on fishing to supplement their incomes and diet also face an uncertain future, with ‘major declines in fish stocks’ forecast by the study.
Deforestation is also identified as a major concern, although the report notes that India, Bhutan, China and Vietnam have all reversed this trend in recent years.
The former New Zealand Prime Minister and UNDP administrator Helen Clark believes a new approach to financing low carbon technology in developing countries is one potential solution.
Writing in the report she says: “Today’s spending on low-carbon energy sources is only 1.6 per cent of even the lowest estimate of need”
“Spending on climate change adaptation and mitigation is around 11 per cent of estimated need. Hope rests on new climate finance.”
Discussions on a new framework to fund climate related projects are expected to continue at COP17 in Durban, with the Technology Mechanism and Green Climate Fund high on the agenda.
You can read the UNDP report in full here.