“The EU said Tuesday it would give the world's poorest nations at least EUR 50 million ($69 million) to help them cope with more frequent storms, floods and drought linked to man-made climate change.

EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel said the funding for a new global climate change alliance was ‘only a startup’ and he wanted EU nations to add their own money to the pot - warning that a lot more was needed to reduce poverty and save lives. …

The funds aim to help people prepare better for natural disasters by swapping know-how. It will pay for ‘concrete adaptation measures’ - such as flood defenses, reducing emissions from deforestation, helping poor countries set up programs that could cash in on rich nations' carbon offsets, and making climate change a part of other development aid efforts. …” [Associated Press/Factiva]

AFP adds that “…The money, earmarked for 2008-2010, brings the total amount of EU funding for the fight against global warming to around EUR 300 million, said EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel. …

On a wider scale Brussels is also proposing the creation of ‘a global climate change alliance’ reaching out to the countries ‘least responsible for, but most affected by global warming,’ the Commission said, in particular less developed nations and small island states. …” [Agence France Presse/Factiva]

Reuters reports that “…Brussels provides developing countries with emergency aid and the new alliance would help them, especially the poorest states, to prepare for future disasters via funding for alert systems, special irrigation techniques and other projects. …

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries was cheaper than in developed economies, Michel said. The Commission is set to discuss the alliance proposal with developing countries at a November 7-9 meeting in Lisbon.” [Reuters/Factiva]

Meanwhile, in related environment news, AP reports that “The EU and the South American trade bloc Mercosur want to work together on energy and environment protection … European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.

Energy and climate change were an important part of discussions between Barroso and Uruguay's President Tabare Vazquez, who holds the rotating presidency of Mercosur -- the trade market comprising Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. … Vazquez said the South Americans wanted to share the EU's ‘great experience’ on environmental issues. …

Barroso and Vazquez said they expected the EU and Mercosur to release a joint declaration before the end of the year underlining the two organizations' commitment to closer ties. …” [Associated Press/Factiva] // World Bank


Publication date: 20 September 2007   

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