Resolution 7: climate change II

Belfast 2008

The 55th Congress of Liberal International notes:

That according to an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report published on 2 February, 2007, it is now 90% certain that human activities since 1750 have warmed our planet.
That while every possible attempt must be made to mitigate climate change, the reality is that a certain amount of warming has already been locked into the climate system due to emissions that have already occurred;

Further noting:

That concern is growing that many communities and ecosystems will have little time to adjust to changing conditions;
That economic losses due to extreme weather events are already being experienced, and are likely to increase in the future;
That the World Health Organization estimates that climate change is already responsible for 150 000 deaths annually;
That the worst effects of climate change will be felt most acutely in the developing world, particularly in Africa;
That climate change threatens both food and water security in the developing world;
That the climate change effects will hamper many countries’ ability to attain UN Millennium Goals;

Further noting:

That Adaptation refers primarily to measures that lessen the vulnerabilities that arise as a result of the negative effects of climate change.
That while mitigation is mostly a global issue, adaptation is a local or regional issue, and therefore adaptation needs will be different in different parts of the world.
That those countries or communities with the least capacity to adapt are the most vulnerable to climate change;
That the costs of adapting will be between US$ 28 — 67 billion per year by 2030;
That currently the Adaptation Fund, set up using funds from a levy on Clean Development Mechanism Projects, is estimated to be worth only US$ 36 million per year, and is expected to rise to no more than US$300 million per year by 2012. Hence, there is a significant funding gap, as the Adaptation Fund in its current manifestation will contribute only 1% of the funds required to help the world adapt to climate change that is already likely to happen.

Hereby Resolves:

That Adaptation to climate change in conjunction with sustainable development receive the same emphasis as mitigation in a post-2012 climate agreement;
That the funding for Adaptation by developing countries be funded primarily by developed countries who are responsible for the majority of human-induced climate change;
That developed countries consider committing to compulsory financial payments to the Adaptation Fund based on their respective abilities to pay.
That funding to developing countries for Adaptation measures be in addition to existing development aid;