Loss and damage fund risks being a ‘downpayment on disaster’ – WWF

Environmental charities and campaign groups are starting to react to the climate agreement.

On the whole they seem to be welcoming the deal on loss and damage. Greenpeace have called it “an important foundation in building towards climate justice”.

But there have been strong concerns raised that the promised fund could be undermined by the lack of progress on getting agreement to reduce emissions.

Katie White, executive  director of advocacy, at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said the loss and damage deal “risks becoming a downpayment on disaster unless emissions are urgently cut in line with the 1.5°C goal”.

There was talk at one point that there could be a new pledge to “phase down” oil and gas – adding to the commitment last year to phase down coal.

Failure to get this included WWF said will: “put our health and security at risk.”

Greenpeace went further – accusing the Egyptians of being influenced by the fossil fuel industry.

Yeb Saño, executive director at Greenpeace Southeast Asia said: “a large number of countries from north and south voiced their strong support for phasing out all fossil fuels…but they were ignored by the Egyptian COP Presidency. Petro-states and a small army of fossil fuel lobbyists were out in force in Sharm el-Sheikh to make sure that it did not happen.”