A) Objectifs de l’engagement
The climate crisis and environmental degradation pose significant risks to humanity. Changes in the climate and the environment are already having an impact on the increased frequency, intensity and unpredictability of severe weather events, increased health impacts and declining biodiversity. Without action, high pressure on scarce natural resources, particularly water, food and clean air, will be inevitable. These converging problems result in heightened vulnerability and exposure to risk, increased climate-related risks in urban settings and in regions already affected by violent conflict, with serious consequences for the livelihoods, mental health and psychosocial well-being of those affected.
One of the situations aggravated by the effects of climate change is energy poverty. Energy poverty is a complex and growing phenomenon that affects millions of people around the world. This term refers to the inability of households to access adequate and affordable energy services necessary to meet their basic needs, such as heating, cooling, lighting and the use of home appliances.
Energy poverty is not limited to lack of access to energy; it also includes situations where families have access to energy but cannot pay for it, or where the quality of supply is so low that it does not meet basic needs. This problem is particularly acute in developing countries, where millions of people still lack access to electricity and rely on polluting energy sources such as wood, coal or kerosene for cooking and heating.
Fighting energy poverty requires a multidimensional approach that addresses both the underlying causes of poverty and specific energy-related problems. Challenges include financing necessary infrastructure, effective policy implementation and coordination between governments, private companies and non-governmental organizations.
This pledge is in compliance with:
- The Paris Climate Agreement signed by 195 countries, which establishes a global goal to increase adaptive capacity and reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change in all countries, limiting the average global temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and redoubling efforts to not exceed 1.5 degrees by the end of this century and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
- COP28 agreements where it is established that global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced 43% by 2030 and 60% by 2035 relative to 2019 levels, and achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
- With the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations, especially SDG 13 on climate change, and SDG 7 which seeks to ensure access to affordable, secure, sustainable and modern energy for all and the commitment to leave no one behind of the 2030 Agenda and the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit.
Considering that climate change has been identified by National Societies of Red Cross and Red Crescent as one of the main challenges of the next decade in the Strategy 2030, we must strengthen the environmentally friendly intervention framework of Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations and we will strive to reduce our ecological and climate footprint.
In accordance with the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations, which calls for maximizing the environmental sustainability of our work and rapidly reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, including through forest and land conservation and restoration.
Bearing in mind that climate change mainly affects the most vulnerable groups, leading to the increase and severity of humanitarian crises and population movements.
Recognizing that the involvement of volunteering, communities and education are essential elements of the response to climate change.
Recognizing that transformations are urgently needed to comply with the Paris Climate Agreement, to achieve climate neutrality and limit warming.
We commit ourselves, by the XXXIV International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to contribute to:
- Calculate our carbon footprint and register it with the relevant authorities.
- Reduce, establishing a plan that affects all areas of the organization with a 45% reduction in emissions by 2030.
- Offset the CO2 emitted by achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
- Promote actions to combat energy poverty.
B) Plan d’action
- We will improve the energy efficiency of our buildings and our fleet.
- We will carry out a reforestation plan to offset our CO
- We will carry out actions to combat energy poverty.
- We will implement education and awareness programs to empower communities to adopt sustainable energy practices.
- We will promote technical advice and support among National Societies.
- We will count on the participation of the communities and volunteers.
C) Indicateurs permettant de mesurer les avancées:
- Number of consulting services and exchanges of experiences with National Societies.
- Number of hectares reforested.
- Number of families in fuel poverty that have been directly assisted.
- Number of people trained in the fight against energy poverty.
- Number of volunteers participating.
D) Ressources nécessaires:
A specialised team will be put in place to monitor and report on the pledge. Likewise, for the fulfilment of the indicators, appropriate financial resources will be made available.