Christian Aid calls on Alok Sharma to use COP Presidency for climate vulnerable
On Monday (Jan 24th), COP26 President Alok Sharma is giving a speech at Chatham House on the role of the UK during its presidency year which runs until the beginning of COP27 in November.
Ahead of the speech, Christian Aid’s UK Advocacy and Policy Lead, Jennifer Larbie, said: “It’s important that the UK Government takes its role as COP President seriously in 2022. A COP presidency may not be for life, but it’s not just for Christmas, either. The world needs to see climate leadership if we’re going to build on the work that took place in Glasgow and make up for major pieces that were left missing.
“COP26 made some progress on emissions reductions and marked the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel industry. But it broke the promises made to deliver finance to help poor communities adapt to climate change and it didn’t create a fund to deal with the permanent loss and damage they suffer.
“That is why it’s vital that in 2022 Alok Sharma and the UK Government make it their priority to help the people on the front lines of the climate crisis. Too often those needs are ignored. If the UK wants to have a legacy from their COP presidency in 2022 that truly benefits those most in need, they need to lay the groundwork to ensure a loss and damage fund is established at COP27.”
Notes to editors
Alok Sharma will be delivering his speech on Monday 24 January 2022 from 12:00PM to 1:15PM (GMT) at The Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James’s Square, London. It can be watched online here https://chathamhouse.zoom.us/webinar/register/2516421602678/WN_LHSBwImRTHmrxsmWZJu5iA .
Further information on the event can be found on the Chatham House website.
