First Minister in Call for climate justice

Scotland will launch a Climate Justice Fund this week to help some of the world’s poorest communities tackle the impact of climate change, it was announced today.

First Minister Alex Salmond will be joined by Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to announce details of the fund. This will deliver on the Scottish Government manifesto commitment to co-ordinate a climate adaptation fund.

Mr Salmond said:

“The huge injustice of climate change is that it is those who have done the least to cause the problem – the most vulnerable from the world’s poorest communities – who are hardest hit.

“That is why Scotland is committed to working towards climate justice. I am delighted that Mary Robinson will join me in Edinburgh to launch Scotland’s Climate Justice Fund.

“Climate justice links human rights and development, and puts people at the heart of our economic system.

“Mary Robinson’s support is testament of the key role Scotland is playing in delivering climate justice. Scotland is providing strong leadership – sending a clear message to other industrialised nations that action is needed – and our climate justice fund is the next step in Scotland’s climate change journey.”

Professor Alan Miller, Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission said:

“The international human rights community is increasingly recognising Scotland as a welcome and timely example of a nation dealing with climate change through the lens of climate justice.

“Climate justice is a key issue for many of our sister institutions around the world, especially in developing countries where the impacts of climate change are being felt right now, and in very harsh terms, by some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Climate change impacts on rights to life, livelihoods and the ways of life of many millions of people in the developing world, and is the greatest challenge to our planet this century.

“The people who have contributed least to the problem are suffering the most. This situation is manifestly unfair and cannot continue. The Climate Justice Fund is a welcome step forward, and should result in Scotland opening up new ways to share technology, experience and expertise, as well as funding.”