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Media Release

June 24 2009

Carbon trading and its impact on world's poor

April AllderdiceThe impact of carbon trading on the world’s poor is the focus of a community forum being held at the Adelaide Town Hall tomorrow night.

Supported by UniSA’s Hawke Centre, the ‘One Just World’ forum features four expert speakers on climate change and carbon trading from Australia and the United States.

Hawke Centre Executive Director Elizabeth Ho said she was delighted to welcome the speakers to Adelaide, including Ms April Allderdice, CEO, MicroEnergy Credits, USA; Mr Murray Proctor, Deputy Director General of AusAID’s Program Enabling Division; Professor Stephen Howes, Crawford School of Economics and Government, Australian National University; and Mr Martijn Wilder, Partner and Head Global Climate Change Team, Baker & McKenzie.

Ms Ho said the effects of climate change were already a reality for many communities across the globe.

“Left unabated, climate change will impact on everyone, and most significantly on the world’s poor who are the least responsible for the problem,” she said.

“The Hawke Centre has joined with World Vision Australia, AusAID and the International Women’s Development Agency to bring this forum to Adelaide to explore answers to important questions on climate change.

“While there is growing international support for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, our speakers will look at whether the introduction of carbon trading schemes is part of the solution.

“They will explore the impact of carbon trading on the world’s poor; its effect on women in developing countries; whether carbon trading schemes can be established to help poor communities overcome poverty; and what roles business, government and non-government organisations have to play.”

Ms April Allderdice will outline how MicroEnergy Credits’ activities have had a positive effect in developing countries including India, Mongolia and Uganda. She will explain how solar lights, efficient stoves that reduce wood and charcoal consumption, and biogas digesters that use cattle or poultry manure to provide clean cooking gas, light and electricity can improve the quality of life for microfinance (low income) clients.

“The traditional energy sources that many microfinance clients depend on are in many ways part of a vicious cycle,” Ms Allderdice said.

“Renewable energy is affordable; spending close to what microfinance clients already spend on kerosene, fuel, wood and charcoal. Building a clean energy path may become an integral part of every microfinance clients’ journey out of poverty.”

More than 420 people have already registered for the forum, which will be held at the Adelaide Town Hall auditorium, 128 King William Street, Adelaide, tomorrow night (Thursday), at 5.30pm. Registrations are essential – visit www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au or call 8302 0215.


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