Advocacy
The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement never works in isolation. But partnerships, one of its strategic directions, are more important than ever in the context of global warming. Around the world, as national societies have taken on climate change programmes they have sought dialogue with government and local authority, with meteorological offices, universities and other centres of knowledge, and with NGOs, civil society. By reaching out to others they have extended their networks and continued to advocate for the needs of the most vulnerable in accordance with their fundamental principles.
“This isn’t something you do on your own. It is very important stakeholders work hand in hand. Together we can do a lot more.” Tataua Pese, Tuvalu.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent also needs to speak out for the most vulnerable, those who have contributed least to the problem but will suffer most. Measures to reduce the impacts of climate change are being implemented in the richest countries that can afford to do so, rather than for those people that need them most. These imbalance need to be addressed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In that context 2009 is a crucial year for negotiations to arrive at a successor to the Kyoto protocol, which has to enter into force in 2012. This agreement needs to include clear mechanisms to provide resources to reduce the risks facing the most vulnerable people.
However, transfer of resources is not enough, we also need strengthening of human capacities to develop and implement climate risk reduction for the most vulnerable people. The Red Cross and Red Crescent must face up to that challenge, both internally and externally, building on our global movement with strong local presence – matching the scope of climate change: a global problem with local impacts.
In November 2007, the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent expressed a clear concern about the humanitarian impacts of climate change, and a strong commitment to address them.
Read more about the role of the Red Cross and Red Crescent at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Resources
Take a look here for more information on climate change negotiations.
Related websites
Main topics:
Disaster management
Climate change can act as a catalyst for enhanced disaster management.
Health and care
Many national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies will be touched by the health implications of climate change.
Early warning early action
Routinely taking humanitarian action before a disaster or health emergency happens, making full use of scientific information on all timescales.
Advocacy
The Red Cross and Red Crescent never works in isolation. Partnerships are more important than ever in the context of global warming.
Communications
The global climate is changing and the past no longer explains the present.
Community risk reduction
The Red Cross and Red Crescent has traditionally focused on response. But now other aspects, including risk reduction, are also given priority.
Youth
Red Cross Red Crescent youth take action to reduce the impacts of climate change.
Getting started
The Red Cross Red Crescent has a growing body of experience working on addressing climate change. Here’s how to use it to get started.
(pdf, 104 kB)
The Climate Guide contains the experiences of over thirty national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. Read more.