§ 15. Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of Christian Aid's recent reports on the impact of climate-related disasters on developing countries. [123185]
§ Clare ShortI share many of the concerns for developing countries expressed in Christian Aid's recent reports. The impact of climate change is likely to constitute one of the biggest global environmental problems for the 21st century. It is likely to affect developing countries and particularly poor people disproportionately, since they are both more vulnerable to disaster and less able to cope in its event.
Our objectives in assisting countries to deal with disasters are to save lives through emergency relief, to protect and rebuild livelihoods and communities, and to reduce vulnerability to future disasters. We are working to improve understanding of the possible impacts of climate change on developing countries in order to help them take account of these in their development planning and so reduce their future vulnerability. We also work with developing countries to help improve their energy efficiency and reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions.