Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has led a members debate at the Scottish Parliament expressing the importance of listening to the voices of the Global South in our efforts to tackle the climate emergency.
Fiona lodged a motion in Parliament acknowledging and highlighting the publication of a communique that set out the conclusions of the ‘Glasgow Climate Dialogues’ – a series of discussions hosted by the Scottish Government and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland which took place between 6 and 9 September 2021 and provided a forum for civil society and government departments from impacted countries in the Global South to discuss and share their positions on some of the key priorities for action at and beyond COP26.
Fiona said:
“The effects of climate change are not equal, fair or just, and the publication of the communique setting out the conclusions of the Glasgow Climate Dialogues is a positive step in the right direction in ensuring the voices of the Global South are heard.
“I was privileged to hear a number of stories first hand from those living and experiencing the harsh impacts of climate change now. Like the young climate justice activist who lost family and friends after the 2013 Super Typhoon in the Phillppines; and a Kenyan MP who talked about droughts so bad that children were unable to attend school and all livestock markets had collapsed. The suffering caused by climate change is real. And it is happening now.
“I was pleased to bring this vitally important debate to the Parliament last week (11th Nov) and to amplify the voices of the Global South who are struggling. They contributed the least to the climate emergency and are suffering the most. We must act now, the lives of those in the Global South depend on us.”
“I welcome more funds for Climate Justice announced by the First Minister which will see this funding trebling, including a £2m ‘Loss and Damage Fund’ the first in the world and an example which bigger countries must follow.”
Alistair Dutton, Chief Executive of SCIAF, on behalf of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said:
“Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is extremely grateful to Fiona Hyslop for leading this debate and drawing attention to the Glasgow Climate Dialogues, and more importantly, the voices and views of the Global South that they represent. SCCS was pleased to co-host the Dialogues with the Scottish Government and co-facilitate the discussion with experts from the Global South. The conclusions reached are being widely disseminated at COP26, and we hope they will be acted on by Governments across the world.”
ENDS
Fiona’s Motion in full:
Motion S6M-01490 in the name of Fiona Hyslop MSP:
“Publication of the Communiqué Setting Out the Conclusions of the Glasgow Climate Dialogues”
That the Parliament welcomes the publication of the communiqué setting out the conclusions of the Glasgow Climate Dialogues, hosted by the Scottish Government and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland; understands that these dialogues were a series of online discussions, which took place between 6 and 9 September 2021, providing a forum for civil society and government departments from impacted countries in the Global South to discuss and share their positions on some of the key priorities for action at and beyond COP26, while developing a shared understanding of these key issues and identifying where collective action can advance United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) goals and objectives; notes that the communiqué includes recommendations related to ensuring equitable access, participation and voice at the talks, the need for developed countries to significantly increase the financial support available to help impacted communities adapt to spiralling climate impacts, the need to address the losses and damages created by climate impacts that go beyond the limits of adaptation, and the need to ensure a global Just Transition based on the UNFCCC principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and the right to development; commends the Scottish Government and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland for facilitating these dialogues, and notes the calls for ministers to respond positively, including by placing these priorities at the heart of the Scottish Government’s own activities for COP26 and encouraging support for them from other UNFCCC participants.