EU envoys optimistic about reaching legally binding climate change deal at Paris summit

The European envoys in Dhaka say they are “confident” that world leaders will reach “an ambitious and legally binding” agreement in the upcoming Paris climate summit, keeping the human reality in mind.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 26 Nov 2015, 04:55 PM
Updated : 26 Nov 2015, 04:55 PM

They issued a joint statement on Thursday after their recent visit to Bangladesh’s south-western district Satkhira where they saw “firsthand the hardship endured by the communities living in the affected areas”.

During the Nov 17 and 18 visit, they also observed the damage caused to the environment.

This joint visit had a “particular significance” as it came ahead of the COP21 climate conference that will begin on Nov 30.

“We saw ourselves people who struggle and start adapting, better address the challenges of tomorrow,” Ambassador Pierre Mayaudon, Head of the EU Delegation, said.

Representatives of the EU member states based in Dhaka and of the EU Delegation, including five Heads of Missions visited areas in Satkhira that are particularly affected by climate change.

“These communities respond to the adverse consequences of climate change with courage and optimism,” read the statement.

“Our partnership can help them sustaining their livelihood and offer to their children a better future”.

“The consequences of climate disruption are indeed quite visible on the ground in forms of economic deprivation, reduced access to safe food and water, multiplication of health hazards.

“The more the populations are vulnerable and the environment degraded, greater is the impact,” the envoys said.

“Over the last two decades, even major infrastructures have paid a huge toll due to multiple causes that are now aggravated by climate change.

“Various stakeholders have conducted numerous projects to counter these disastrous consequences and they continue to do so”.

The team visited several humanitarian and climate adaptation projects funded by the EU and the Member States, focusing on agriculture, water, disaster preparedness, health and nutrition.

They are implemented by PKSF, Solidarités International, the German Red Cross and Friendship.

These projects offer alternative activities where the soil salinity doesn't allow traditional form of cultivation any more.

Shrimp and crab fattening and cultivation using saline–resistant seeds were some of the most promising initiatives supported by the donors.

“This visit however gave a sense that much more should be done to address the effects of climate disruption,” the envoys say.

Water-logging regularly hits the same communities and gradually expands to others.

Due to the lack of systematic coordination, a number of challenges are only partially addressed.

Disconnect between emergency response to seasonal flooding and long-term area development is also visible, they observed.

“Dialogue with all concerned entities convinced EU Envoys of the need for consolidating a comprehensive vision that will support harmonised policies and projects”.

The government has a leading role to play on that regard, read the statement.  “The ultimate goal will remain promoting resilient growth”.

“Empowering households and communities and strengthening accountable institutions should be the key drivers”.