PROJECTS aimed at tackling the devastating impact of climate change in developing nations are to receive a multi-million-pound funding boost from the Scottish Government. News today of the investment of more than £3.6 million came as the World Bank called on developed nations to do more to help the most vulnerable nations build resistance to the dangers. The demand was made on the back of a report released at the UN Climate Change Conference in Germany which shows Fiji alone would need to spend 10 times the amount of its annual gross domestic product to counteract the worst effects. Even then, sea levels could make some parts of the island nation inhabitable, with increased tropical cyclones hitting the tourism industry and spreading water-borne disease. The report was drawn up by the World Bank and Fiji, which is presiding over the Bonn conference. The aim of the event is to write a “rule book” to implement the Paris Agreement to curb climate change – despite Donald Trump saying he will pull the US out of the deal. Scotland’s Environment and Climate Change Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham, and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visit the convention this week. Announcing the investment in the climate change projects, Cunningham said Scotland and other developed nations had a “clear moral duty” to help. The latest funding includes £3.2m to support community-led initiatives which will improve production of clean drinking water and boost agricultural production in Malawi.
The National 13th Nov 2017 read more »
