COP27 loss and damage fund a victory for vulnerable but fossil fuels remain elephant in the room
- “Coal, oil and gas is the elephant in the room, in some cases literally, considering the large number of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP27"
Responding to the outcome of the COP27 summit, Joab Okanda, Christian Aid’s Pan African Policy Advisor, said:
“This is a victory for climate vulnerable countries and civil society who have been demanding this outcome for 30 years. For the first-time vulnerable communities have a fund dedicated to support them deal with the devastating loss and damage they have suffered. It has been a long fight for developing countries to get this fund, the devil will be in the detail and we still need to see it filled with money, but it is a positive step forward towards climate justice.
“As far as many vulnerable countries were concerned this was the loss and damage COP. It was the red line for their communities and it’s good to see those voices finally heard.
“It’s disappointing that despite all the warm words from world leaders at the start of this summit about the seriousness of the climate emergency, countries couldn’t even commit to a phase down of all fossil fuels.
“Coal, oil and gas is the elephant in the room, in some cases literally, considering the large number of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP27. Everyone knows we need to phase out the cause of the climate crisis and until countries actually start doing it, the world will remain on a perilous path.
“More fossil fuels means more loss and damage.”
