Underlying the importance of a global consensus to tackle climate change impact and highlighting the role of the developed countries to help developing countries face its adverse affects, Robin Gwynn, UK climate security envoy for vulnerable countries, talks to Towheed Feroze and opines that global recession will not relegate the climate change issue.

The government has just declared the budget and thankfully, one inspiring message that came out was that of building a ‘green’ Bangladesh. A laudable step indeed, and one, that coincided with the visit of Robin Gwynn, the UK climate security envoy for vulnerable countries. Ahead of the much talked about Copenhagen Summit later this year, Gwynn is very much optimistic that despite the global recession taking the top spot in the agenda of governments, the importance of tackling climate change will not lose steam. And, he is full of praise for Bangladesh because he feels that there are quite a few encouraging signs in Bangladesh surrounding the issue.

‘People, while talking about climate change from the perspective of Bangladesh, usually point to the problems but I want to highlight the strengths, which are, a long term commitment, proper strategy and a clear commitment,’ observed Gwynn.

But the envoy also knows that for developing countries like Bangladesh and many others, the challenges and the dangers remain high and a helping hand is needed. ‘UK is committed to helping Bangladesh build cyclone shelters, develop early warning systems and carry out more research,’ says the climate security envoy and adds that the UK would also love to help Bangladesh in developing and sustaining of climate resilient livelihoods.

But, there is some skepticism towards the outcome of the Copenhagen Summit since many are of the opinion that, a solid agreement now, with the global economic downturn still in the picture, is going to be impractical. But Gwynn is not swayed by any deterrents and refuses to be pulled down by pessimists. ‘We may not come to a clear agreement but there is always room to work outside negotiations,’ enthuses the envoy and adds that in Copenhagen the stakes are higher with impact of climate change, transfer of pro environment technology and reduction of green house gases getting the top spots in discussions.

Time and again, Robin Gwynn points out that developed countries have a higher role to play in dealing with this delicate issue and the rationale he elaborates for this is simple: ‘Developing and third world countries did not cause the climate change complication. And therefore, the responsibility is on the big economies of the world to ensure that potential problems arising from climate change are minimised.’
He also points to the unambiguous fact that rich countries stand to lose a lot of raw materials that they import from vulnerable countries if the climate change impact is not dealt with expediently.

‘UK believes that since the vulnerable countries did not cause the problem, they can unite and exert pressure for concrete steps,’ adds the envoy.
Referring to the necessity of innovative technology, Robin Gwynn pointed to floating gardens but also reiterated the need to carry on more research to come up with groundbreaking innovations.

In view of the current economic turmoil affecting the world, he said that the global economic gloom should not overshadow the climate change issue. ‘In the UK, a 1.4 billion Pound initiative looks towards low energy insulation of houses which will not only reduce carbon emissions but will also generate much needed employment during this time of economic hardships.

Talking about a visible lethargy and apathy shown by many in dealing with this issue, Robin Gwynn said that, for a long time, many countries regarded climate change problem as a ‘distant threat- happening to someone else.’

‘On the contrary, it’s an immediate problem,’ he adds and draws hope from the G-20 summit where a clear commitment was made to move towards measures that would result in low carbon emitting economies.