Speech
"Environment for Development" - Minister for Trade and Development Gareth
Thomas speaks at the launch
of the fourth Global Environment Outlook report, 25 October 2007
25 October 2007
Gareth Thomas, Minister for Trade and Development, spoke today at the launch of
the fourth
 Global Environmental Outlook
(GEO 4) report. The report, produced by the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP), is entitled "Environment for Development" and provides a full account of
the state of the world's environment, setting out the challenges that face us
now and in the years ahead.
The Minister spoke of how protecting the environment is crucial to improving the
lives of the world's poorest people, and welcomed the publication of the report:
"The plain facts...are that poor people and poor countries depend on environmental
resources much more than rich countries, and of course poor people usually pay
a far higher price when the environment turns against them. Floods, drought and
pollution hit the poor the hardest. And the impacts of climate change –
including more frequent and severe floods and droughts - will be felt first and
worst in developing countries."
"I think today’s report highlights the need for sound science, for monitoring
and assessment, so we can understand the environmental trends much better, and,
crucially, to understand the impact of those trends on the very poorest. This is
absolutely key if we’re going to see improvements in the decisions that are
taken at all levels, particularly by governments, to help ensure a more
sustainable and fairer world."
He also spoke of the UK's commitment to ensuring environmental sustainability -
including £6 million over four years (2008-12) to support the work of UNEP.
Read the full speech
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