We are being duped if we think $200 million is fair

Peter Burdon, of the
University of Adelaide.

Australian people are being seriously duped if they believe the country’s contribution to the Green Climate Fund answers, in any way, what is needed.

The money promised is insignificant against that need and the meagre contribution and it is not new money rather, it has been filched from Australia’s existing Foreign Aid budget.

President of the GV Environment Group and Beneath the Wisteria supporter, John Pettigrew, today said:  "These funds have simply been transferred from the already savaged Foreign Aid budget.”

Illustrating his disappointment with the announcement he said: “Not good enough by any standards Tony!"

Writing on The Conversation today, a senior lecture at the University of Adelaide, Peter Burdon, said, “Climate debt is financially complex but morally simple. It is the idea that rich countries should pay reparations to poor countries for damage suffered as a result of climate change.”

His story, headed: “Australia’s $200 million climate pledge falls short of its true debt” concludes in saying: “My fear is that as pressure mounts for climate negotiations to yield progress, power will concentrate in fewer hands and developing countries will continue to be sidelined.”