- Title: Oxfam campaigners pose as world leaders, demand stronger G7 climate commitment
- Date: 12th June 2021
- Summary: FALMOUTH, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JUNE 12, 2021) (REUTERS) OXFAM ACTIVISTS WEARING PAPIER MACHE HEADS DEPICTING G7 LEADERS SITTING ON DECKCHAIRS AT THE BEACH ACTIVISTS DRESSED IN COSTUME AS G7 WORLD LEADERS FEET/ PAPIER MACHE HEAD OF U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN VARIOUS SET UP SHOT OF MAX LAWSON, HEAD OF INEQUALITY POLICY AT OXFAM (SOUNDBITE) (English) HEAD OF INEQUALITY POLICY AT OXFAM, MAX LAWSON, SAYING: "I think the other big emitters like China and India are not going to move in a dramatic fashion to cut their carbon unless the original villains of the piece, if you like, the ones who really caused this problem historically take the major steps that they have to. So the G7 have to lead from the front. We can't expect China, that's only just managed to lift millions of people out of poverty, to make huge cuts in its own carbon emissions when countries like the US, the UK, and Europe are just not doing enough. So I think that's the connection - the G7 have to lead from the front and go first and then other people will follow." MESSAGE IN AN INFLATABLE BOTTLE READING 'CLIMATE (SOS)' (SOUNDBITE) (English) HEAD OF INEQUALITY POLICY AT OXFAM, MAX LAWSON, SAYING: "I think it's not too late, we could take the dramatic action if necessary. We've got 9 years until the deadline set by the Paris climate talks some years ago, and carbon can be cut. We can make a big difference. We can stop this happening and we must do that. But it is also true that climate change is already beginning to happen. We're already seeing the impacts on the poorest people - we're already seeing people displaced. People that Oxfam works with all over the world - so they have to be helped now. They can't wait. They need the help of rich nations. They need more aid and they more support. And that has not been forthcoming, not nearly enough has been given to help people now." MESSAGE IN AN INFLATABLE BOTTLE READING 'CLIMATE SOS'/ PAPIER MACHE G7 LEADERS PAPIER MACHE GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL/BIDEN UK PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON EATING CORNISH PASTY (SOUNDBITE) (English) HEAD OF INEQUALITY POLICY AT OXFAM, MAX LAWSON, SAYING: "I think it's fair to say that every radical, and progressive initiative on the table at the G7 this weekend is because we have a new president in the White House. It has nothing to do with Boris Johnson, nothing to do with UK spin, it's all about a new resident in the White House. That is good, but is he putting enough on the table to stop climate change, not yet. So I am optimistic but we have to keep the pressure." VARIOUS OF "LEADERS" ON DECKCHAIRS LEADERS STANDING ON SEA SHORE PADDLERS ON SURF COASTLINE
- Embargoed: 26th June 2021 12:01
- Keywords: Cornwall G7 G7 protest Oxfam Oxfam protest at G7 protest protests protests in Cornwall
- Location: FALMOUTH, ENGLAND, UK
- City: FALMOUTH, ENGLAND, UK
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Europe,G7,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001EH3HW7B
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Oxfam said on Saturday (June 12) the G7 world leaders are not doing enough to combat the threat of climate change and need to ensure they take the lead towards cutting climate emissions.
Speaking on the sidelines of the G7 summit taking place in Carbis Bay, Oxfam Health policy advisor Max Lawson said "the G7 has to lead from the front and go first and then other people will follow".
The Group of Seven leaders (G7) will jeopardise the chance of success at a landmark global climate change summit later this year if they fail to honour past aid promises this weekend, development campaigners have said.
Presidents and prime ministers from the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and host Britain kicked off a three-day summit in southwestern England on Friday (June 11) with discussions on global warming at the top of the agenda.
But advocacy groups said the G7 and other rich nations had to deliver on a promise of $100 billion a year in financing to help poor countries overhaul their economies and adapt to the impacts of climate change, or risk failure at November's climate summit.
In December, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said rich governments were lagging badly on the promise.
Finance ministers from the G7 said in a joint statement earlier this month that they were reaffirming the $100 billion goal and "we look forward to further commitments at the G7 Leaders' Summit or ahead of COP26."
(Production: Gerhard Mey, Jonathan Shenfield) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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