“To provide poor people and nations with hope for the future, countries must agree in Paris the cornerstones which trigger action and cooperation sufficient to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. These include a long-term goal to phase out fossil fuel emissions by 2050 and shift to 100 per cent sustainable renewable energy, and a mechanism which increases overall ambition before implementation of INDCs in 2020, and every five years thereafter. This can also boost clean energy supply and adaptation for the poor.”

“The issue of equity, all countries doing their fair share in the global effort, has been at the heart of the UN’s climate change convention. It’s only right that richer countries, who have benefitted the most from climate change causing industrialisation, do more of the heavy lifting in tackling it. This review shows that they still have some way to go to meet these requirements and are already being put to shame by much poorer nations.”

“From Washington to Brussels, decision makers must hang their heads in shame that poorer countries are willing to do more than they are. But it’s still not too late - rich countries, who have done most to create the problem, must ramp up their inadequate pledges, transform our energy and food systems, and provide the desperately needed support for poorer countries to grow cleanly. Helping to build a cleaner, fairer and safer world must be the priority for all governments in Paris.”

“The opportunity for world leaders to change the trajectory of our future is now, and a good starting point to demonstrate this leadership is by ensuring a strong and robust global climate agreement in Paris. There is no getting away from the fact that there is a serious gap in climate ambition globally, both in terms of the fairness of contributions - especially from those most responsible - and the inadequacy of the efforts so far to reduce emissions. Actions can still be taken to address this gap if countries can collectively agree to cooperate through scaled up collaborative actions, if developed countries set targets to provide finance for developing countries to increase emission reduction actions and if the Paris agreement includes the institutional mechanisms to allow actions to get stronger and stronger through regular science and equity reviews.”

“Governments can and must raise their ambition to maintain a safe temperature pathway. If well planned and based on social dialogue, more ambitious emission reductions will not be a burden; they are an opportunity for transforming all industries to deliver on climate and social goals and transform jobs. The review, as an independent endeavour, shows civil society, unions and social movements will assess the Paris outcome based on the principles agreed in the UN Convention and what the agreement will mean for both people and the planet.”

“Years of inaction by developed countries have already threatened the very survival of the poorest countries, and those most vulnerable to climate impacts. This review further demonstrates that developed countries are not fulfilling their commitment to substantially reduce their emissions consistent with the requirements of science and fairness. We need action now and we need concrete climate finance now to allow us to protect our homes and our communities."

"This is not just about access to the goods of the earth (which, according to our Creator, should be enjoyed by all). It is a question also of systems that prevent the poor from enjoying the fruits of the earth. This is fairness. This is equality. We hope you remember these people as you become advocates of these principles in Paris."

"The world is long past 'safe' levels of warming. It is only a matter of how much worse it can be for us. The pledges of developed countries are condemning us to unimaginable levels of devastation."

Across the board, rich countries are failing to bring the two most important ingredients to the negotiating table – emission cuts and money. If they truly want to solve the climate crisis, wealthy nations must provide finance to support clean development in poor countries and to help communities adapt to dangerous climate impacts. Without it, any agreement in Paris will be asking the poor to put out a burning building with a glass of water.”

“The battle-ground to fight climate change has shifted radically from a time when rich countries were held solely responsible for leading the charge, to one of international co-operation. Developing countries and emerging economies are recognising that they too need to play a part. While there’s still more to be done, rich countries now need to up their game otherwise some of the world’s poorest people, many of whom are already affected by climate change, will pay a terrible price.”

“Pope Francis’ concept of “ecological debt”, means that the historical inequalities between countries cannot be overlooked within the climate negotiations. The lack of equity between the North and the South must be addressed. And equity for CIDSE isn’t only about how to share the burden (emissions reductions and support) amongst countries in a fair way, it is also about building a transformative agenda for social justice and human rights.”