COP21 Paris: Australia fails on real increase in support for most climate-vulnerable neighbours—Edmund Rice Centre

Paris, December 1 —  Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced Australia will contribute AUD$1 billion over the next five years, but this is not a new commitment and is not new money, but will be drawn instead from the Government’s existing aid budget towards building climate resilience and reducing emissions.
"In his Paris speech Malcolm Turnbull has highlighted the increasing vulnerability of some of our nearest neighbours, however his aid announcement means that Australia's response is to continue previous contributions—not increase support in real terms," Edmund Rice Centre Director, Phil Glendenning, said today from the COP21 UN Climate Summit in Paris.
"Whilst Australia's decision to ratify the 2012-2020 Phase II of the Kyoto Protocol is welcome, it is still disappointing that Australia’s recognition of the increased vulnerability of our neighbours like Kiribati and Tuvalu should be addressed with funds drawn from Australia’s existing and diminishing aid budget," Mr Glendenning said.
"It is important that Australia recognises the impact climate change is having, and will have, on our close neighbours. This is welcome, as is a recognition of the support needed to assist developing countries build resilience to climate change. Given that, it is surprising that Australia will provide no new funding," Mr Glendenning said.
He said nations like Kiribati and Tuvalu want to come out of this Conference:

"...with a guarantee that they can survive. They are the canaries in the coal mine on climate change. Their very future as nations and the survival as peoples in no small way depends on the decisions made here in Paris. Both these countries use Australian currency and look to Australia as their largest neighbour.
"Climate change acts as the ultimate multiplier threat to these countries – causing crops to fail, water supplies to be contaminated, and poverty to increase. It is an additional challenge for these countries on top of existing development challenges and therefore requires additional support.
"The Prime Minister told the assembly here in Paris today that Australia is surrounded by countries that are some of the world's most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. He is right. Countries like Kiribati and Tuvalu right now are facing immense challenges from climate change, with rising seas swallowing land and homes, and extreme weather causing havoc with food production and water supply.
"Given Australia’s recognition of the vulnerability of our neighbours they deserve more than business as usual."

Mr Glendenning said Australia’s Paris announcement is where the response must start. "It is welcome, but it is not enough. Ratifying Kyoto II is a step forward, but Australia must match recognition of poor and vulnerable neighbours first with, the necessary level of assistance to support them in adapting to climate change; and second, by working to ensure a legally binding outcome here in Paris can enable them to survive."

MEDIA RELEASE:
For interview or comment:
 in Paris - Phil Glendenning +61-419-013-758
 in Sydney - Sean Cleary +61-403-434-512 or seanc@erc.org.au