Norfolk environmentalist says COP29 should focus on 'just and fair' move away from fossil fuels
The conference starts today in Azerbaijan and runs until November 22nd
An environmentalist from Norfolk is telling us that a 'just and fair' move away from fossil fuels- needs to be at the heart of this year's COP29 climate conference
It gets underway in Azerbaijan, today. With the United Nations hoping that an agreement on support that should go to helping developing countries cope with climate change, can be reached.
"We're all used to seeing pictures of homes falling into the sea"
Dr Sarah Eglington is from Norwich 'Friends of the Earth':
She told us that the worsening effects of climate change will hit East Anglia hard:
"There will be real pressures on farmers who will have to deal with increasingly unreliable rainfall patterns and temperatures.
"Water Resources East has predicted that East Anglia will be a water deficit region- with Eastern England facing predicted water shortages of 800 million litres of water per day by 2050.
"Some predictions forecast that the Norfolk Broads could be wiped out this century.
"We're seeing impacts on our coastal communities already, as sea level rise and the ferocity of storm surges increase.
"We're all used to seeing pictures of homes falling into the sea in Hemsby and Happisburgh".
What's the Government been doing ahead of COP29?
Business leaders, ambassadors, industry experts and representatives from the COP Troika governments of the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan and Brazil joined discussions hosted by the government on last Wednesday ahead of COP29.
The 3 roundtables were focused on financing the transition to renewable energy, accelerating investment for projects improving climate resilience, and the global treaty to end plastic pollution.
The Government say that each roundtable focused on gaining agreements from participants to support the government's climate agenda and setting the stage for impactful dialogue in Baku, Azerbaijan:
-Mobilising finance for a green energy transition roundtable
-Building the business case for adaptation and resilience roundtable
-Plastic pollution treaty roundtable
"The time for decisive action is now"
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:
"Britain is back in the business of climate leadership because the only way to protect current generations in the UK is by making Britain a clean energy superpower, and the only way to protect our children and future generations is by leading global climate action.
"At COP29 next week, we will work with other countries to step up ambition on tackling the climate crisis because the time for decisive action is now."
The conference runs until November the 22nd.