Co-leader Carla Denyer responds to Pakistan floods
30 August 2022
Commenting on the unprecedented floods in Pakistan [1], Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer said:
“The scale of the floods in Pakistan – with an area the size of the UK under water – are almost beyond comprehension. It resembles a disaster movie, but tragically this is the reality of the climate crisis. We’re all seeing the impact of this emergency more and more at home in the UK, but as climate scientists have warned, the most brutal impacts are being experienced by poorer countries who have actually contributed a lot less to global CO2 emissions.
“Not only must richer countries honour previous pledges to provide “loss and damage” funding for poorer countries, but the issue must be centre stage at this year’s climate talks in Egypt. We need to see a commitment to much greater levels of funding for poorer countries – delivered as grants, not loans, to prevent over-burdening these countries with debt [2].
“With its strong ties to Pakistan, and being one of the top 10 historical polluters, the UK has a particular responsibility to support the country to cope with this unprecedented tragedy affecting millions of people. The colonialism of the past also means the UK government needs to ensure it pays for ‘climate reparations’ [3].”
Notes
[1] Pakistan floods are ‘a monsoon on steroids’, warns UN chief