Areas of work Regions Publications

Climate Justice campaign: They are not done yet, neither are we!

Throughout 2009 CIDSE and Caritas Internationalis ran a joint international campaign on Climate Justice in the run up to the climate summit in December 2009 in Copenhagen. Over 512.000 signatures of our supporters, and those gathered by our ecumenical partners from around the world, calling for Climate Justice, were handed over by Archbishop Desmond Tutu to UN climate chief Yvo de Boer during a ceremony in the centre of Copenhagen.

What did we ask for?

All countries should recognise and protect the right to sustainable development of people in developing countries.
Industrialised countries should provide sufficient, additional, secure and accessible financial and technological support for adaptation and mitigation efforts by developing countries.
Industrialised countries should commit to at least 40% reduction in emissions by 2020 (based on 1990 levels)

Why this campaign?

People in developing countries are hit first and hardest by climate change. Today already, they have to adapt to the worst effects of climate change. They have, however, done least to cause it.

Time is running out for industrialised countries to face up to their responsibilities and respond to a crisis they have created.

How did it work and what did it achieve?

CIDSE and Caritas member organisations ran a public campaign in their respective countries throughout 2009. By signing postcards and online petitions, thousands of people urged their governments to support a fair and binding deal at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen in December 2009.

CIDSE sent these demands to the Environment Minister or Head of State in respective counties. These voices were added to those from around the world calling for climate justice. Although we did not achieve the desired outcome in Copenhagen, we will continue to call for climate justice for the world's poorest people in the run up to the next round of UNFCCC negotiations in Cancun, Mexico in December 2010. They are not done yet, neither are we!