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NGOs and Pacific leaders push for Chris Bowen MP to commit $100m to L&D fund as he lands at COP28

Caritas Australia < 1 mins read

Evening,

Ahead of Climate Minister Chris Bowen arriving at COP28 tomorrow Australian NGOs have sent him a signed letter calling on the Australian govt to make an initial pledge of $100 million to the Loss and Damage Fund.

It asks for this financial commitment to be made when he touches down at COP28 on Thursday. 

Release attached, with quotes from:

  • Rev. James Bhagwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches - who asks for Australia to back up its words with action around loss and damage in the Pacific
  • Flora Vano, Country Manager at ActionAid Vanuatu - who gives a powerful account of climate impact in her home nation.
  • Damian Spruce, Associate Director Advocacy at Caritas Australia - urged the government to make a timely and ambitious contribution.
  • Susanne Legena, CEO of PLAN International Australia - who points at the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls.

Image attached of a team of Pacific climate action leaders meeting with the Australian Minister for Climate Change Chris Bowen on 28th Nov 2023. Photo credit, Caritas Australia.

L-R of that photo:

  • Damian Spruce, Associate Director Advocacy, Caritas Australia
  • Milise ‘Ofa’ Foiakau, Uniting Church, PULSE Field Officer
  • Brianna Fruean, Pacific Climate Warrior and Youth Climate Justice Activist
  • The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
  • Winton Herman, Cook Islands Climate Activist, Caritas Oceania Youth Alliance
  • Olivia Baro, Ecumenical Youth Enabler at Pacific Conference of Churches
  • Rev James Bhagwan, Secretary General, Pacific Conference of Churches

Thanks,

Tara


Contact details:

Tara Harvey for Caritas Australia [email protected]

+61 (0)484 002 021

 

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