Aussie charity joins UN Green Climate Fund

The charity says it will use money from the fund to help local communities fight climate change

Save the Children Australia is calling on the Morrison government to restart its contributions to the United Nations Green Climate Fund, after the charity became the first non-environmental NGO to join the scheme. 

The Green Climate Fund offers NGOs up to $73 million in funding for projects that help developing countries respond to climate change issues.

Save the Children’s successful accreditation for the fund was more than two years in the making, and the charity has vowed to work with national governments and local communities to design and deliver effective programs.

CEO Paul Ronalds said its accreditation reflected Save the Children Australia’s leading role in the global fight against climate change.

“We are acutely aware that climate change will not only exacerbate [disasters], but it will also intensify conflict, displacement and migration. Children will, without a shadow of a doubt, be among the most vulnerable to the devastating effects of climate change,” Ronalds said.

“Save the Children is therefore uniquely placed and motivated to support the efforts of developing countries to anticipate, respond and adapt to climate change impacts.”

The Green Climate Fund was set up by 194 countries – including Australia – at the 2010 UN Climate Change Conference.

But Prime Minister Scott Morrison has decided Australia will no longer put money towards the fund.

Ronalds urged the PM to reconsider his position on the issue.

“The impact of climate change is already being felt across our region,” he said.

“Save the Children is urging the Australian government to re-engage and restart our contribution to the Green Climate Fund.”