#ClimateDiploDay Celebrating the first UK-German-French Climate Diplomacy Day. On 8 September British High Commissioner Robert W Gibson, French Chargé Babou Kamichetty and German Chargé Dr Ferdinand von Weyhe visited three climate adaptation projects in Dhamrai to highlight their joint climate diplomacy. The projects visited were a solar home system for those without access to the national electricity grid, solar irrigation systems that provide an environmentally friendly solution to food security in Bangladesh’s agro-based economy, and a domestic biogas and manure national programme providing gas for cooking. Mr Gibson said, “The projects we saw today, funded by UK aid, Germany and others, are helping some of the most vulnerable people in Bangladesh to adapt to the impacts of climate change. That is one of the most serious threats Bangladesh, and indeed all countries, face. We must all be part of the solution and act on it now. Such a global issue needs a global response, with all countries working towards a legally binding international agreement under the UN framework. To this end the UK will continue to work with our German, French and other international partners, including the government of Bangladesh, as well as with civil society.†Dr von Weyhe added, “Restricting global climate change is indeed a task for us all and the EU should lead the way. Our visit to Dhamrai today is a strong symbol of both our mutual co-operation on climate change and our desire to support Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi people to adapt to climate change in urban areas. Germany has been a driving force in international climate negotiations and pledges to continue that effort in order to support climate vulnerable countries like Bangladesh.†Summing up Mr Kamichetty commented, “Climate change is of particularly crucial importance for Bangladesh. The French Development Agency was given a specific mandate to fund projects promoting green and inclusive growth, and France is working closely with the UK, Germany and other partners to address adaptation and mitigation in a co-ordinated manner. Climate change is a top priority for the French government at home and abroad, and France also has a specific responsibility as COP President. We stand ready to listen to all our partners, and are especially keen to work with our developing country partners such as Bangladesh. The coming months will be crucial to achieving a balanced global agreement in Paris in 2015; we hope that all countries will be represented at the highest possible level at the UN Secretary General’s Climate Summit this September, and encourage all countries to communicate their contribution to the new global agreement as soon as possible.†Bangladesh is one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world. Floods, tropical cyclones, storm surges and droughts are likely to become more frequent and severe. These changes will threaten the achievements Bangladesh has made in reducing poverty and make it more difficult to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. In partnership with the Bangladesh government and civil society, France, Germany and the UK are working together to address the impacts. In addition to alternative energy sources, we are helping communities to cope with the effects of climate change, for example developing climate resilient infrastructure like cyclone shelters and protecting cultivable land against monsoon flooding.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 06:55:46 +0000