The government postpones aid to poor countries affected by the climate crisis – NRK Norway – Summary of news from different parts of the country

The rich countries of the world have pledged to allocate $ 100 billion annually to the UN Green Climate Fund.

The money will help poor countries deal with the climate crisis through emission cuts, ecological restructuring and adaptation, such as protection against floods, droughts, sea level rise and other consequences of the climate crisis.

In January, Norway signed an agreement to double its support for the climate fund, from NOK 400 million to NOK 800 million a year. The fund “is essential for the implementation of the Paris Agreement and for our success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preserving nature,” said then-Minister of Climate and Environment Ola Elvestuen (V).

“Emissions must decrease rapidly,” said Development Minister Dag-Inge Ulstein (KrF), adding that “we cannot close our eyes to the fact that climate change is already destroying crops and forcing millions from their homes. “.

But in the budget process this year, 200 million of the disbursement to the fund was postponed. Create reactions.

Fear that other countries will do like Norway

– If a country does not meet its obligations, other countries are likely to follow the same trend. Nor will they fulfill their obligations. There is a risk of that, Phento Tshering tells NRK.

At international climate summits, he is the main negotiator on behalf of the least developed countries, or least developed countries (LDCs).

He says millions of people in these countries are already suffering from climate change, even though many of them historically have had small emissions and contributed little to the climate crisis. Tshering himself is from Bhutan, in the Himalayas, and he speaks of droughts, flash floods, and melting glaciers.

– The high climate costs of less developed countries are due in large part to the actions of other countries, he says.

Tshering fears that without quick help for the green transition, countries will increasingly turn to fossil fuels to lift their populations out of poverty.

With only a few days to 2020, the rich countries have yet to deliver on their promise.

– Consume credibility

A new OECD report reviews the latest figures available from the fund. It shows that rich countries increased pay by 11 percent in 2018. Still, $ 20 billion is missing. And more than 70 percent of the money raised came in the form of loans, which must be paid back with interest.

The crown crisis has also caused many poor countries to struggle even more financially, says Yannick Glemarec, director of the Reuters climate fund. He believes that the consequences will be dramatic if rich countries do not pay enough.

– It is a good investment to contribute to climate measures in poor countries. You avoid that more people have to flee, more states become unstable. And you may have to cut some emissions in several countries that may not have been able to pay for it, says Une Bastholm, leader of the Green Party.

She believes that it is urgent to put the money in its place.

– It has been a problem that Western countries did not come forward with the money they promised when the UN Green Climate Fund was established. It is also beginning to erode the credibility of that fund. So we should align ourselves with money and commit to it. The most obvious obligation is that the money is actually transferred and not deferred

– The money will come next year

Climate and Environment Minister Sveinung Rotevan (V) says the money is only postponed for next year’s budgets. Most importantly, the full amount promised by Norway will be paid, he says.

– Norway has said that we will give 3.2 billion to the climate fund from 2020 to 2023. It is true, and we are already the sixth largest donor in the world to that fund. So we are giving substantial sums to climate assistance and the climate fund, and we will do so in the future as well. We will give exactly the same amount during the period as what we have said, says Rotevatn.

At the same time that government parties and the FRP took $ 200 million in climate aid out of next year’s budget, they spent $ 350 million to cut the snus tax and $ 775 million to cut the beer and wine tax.

– Is it a good priority to boost climate assistance to make wine, beer and tobacco cheaper?

– Probably not a correct link. The total aid pot is just as big now. We give 1 percent of the BMI. But there have been new priorities within – for example, money for refugees in camps and marine litter has been prioritized, and then a payment to the green climate fund has been postponed, Rotevatn believes.

If Norway wants to reach the 3.2 billion goal for the climate fund, the 200 million must be prioritized in the budgets that will be made after the next parliamentary elections.

– So, if there is a change of government, have you anticipated that the next government will increase by 200 million because it has pushed the bill?

– We have not thought at all that there will be a change of government. We have planned that we continue to govern. And in our management, there is a commitment of 3,200 million to the climate fund. We intend to do that, says the Minister.