Responding to the statement by the EU and China recommitting to the Paris Agreement, Christian Aid’s International Climate Lead, Mohamed Adow said:
“Today we are witnessing the start of the fightback to Donald Trump’s assault on the world’s climate. China and the EU are clearly not going to stand by and allow one man to set the agenda on international climate action.
“This is one of the strongest bilateral statement on climate change by two major world powers I’ve ever seen. The EU and China are clearly accelerating their climate cooperation and taking on the baton of leadership.
“Having two of the world’s three largest economies outlining their determination to lead the transition to a low carbon economy shows the direction of travel is only moving in one direction. US isolationism on climate policy isn’t going to stop that.
“This bodes well for the G20 coming up at the end of the month which will likely see other countries rallying to the cause.”
He added: “When other European leaders are robustly criticising Trump, it’s shocking that the UK is not standing at their side. Theresa May has failed to make a strong personal statement in response to the US announcement, or to double down on climate change ambition to help make up the gap left by the Trump administration’s backsliding. The future of British climate change cooperation is not with the USA, it’s with the rest of the world.”
Ends
For interview requests or more information contact Joe Ware on jware@christian-aid.org or call him on +44(0)7870944485. The press duty phone on 07850 242950.
Notes to Editors:
1. Christian Aid works in some of the world's poorest communities in around 40 countries at any one time. We act where there is great need, regardless of religion, helping people to live a full life, free from poverty. We provide urgent, practical and effective assistance in tackling the root causes of poverty as well as its effects.
2. Christian Aid’s core belief is that the world can and must be changed so that poverty is ended: this is what we stand for. Everything we do is about ending poverty and injustice: swiftly, effectively, sustainably. Our strategy document Partnership for Change explains how we set about this task.
3. Christian Aid is a member of ACT Alliance, a global coalition of more than 130 churches and church-related organisations that work together in humanitarian assistance, advocacy and development.
4. Follow Christian Aid's newswire on Twitter.
5. For more information about the work of Christian Aid visit http://www.christianaid.org.uk
