Africa and other parts of the developing world are suffering from the effects of climate change now, and will suffer further in the near future. To develop strategies to protect and compensate the people of Africa who are suffering disproportionately from a disaster not of their own making, funding on both local and international levels will be necessary and Africa cannot bear this burden alone.

Active moves to reduce carbon use must be applied now, not delayed until 2013 or 2020.

All governments are suffering from the fiscal shortfalls caused by the global recession and the heavy borrowing which this has necessitated. Financial contributions must come from new sources, such as improvements in collection of taxes and financial movements using modern technologies, rather than from fresh funds gathered using traditional methods.

For its part, Africa is ready to take great strides in implementing financial controls and in co-ordinating investment in modern techniques and technologies to help reverse the impact of climate change.

The Instant Action Group has been established to urgently investigate methodologies for raising revenue for short-term climate change projects without adverse impact on struggling economies.

By working together in a partnership commitment for immediate and effective action while recognising the economic realities of the global economy, business and governments can begin to reverse the disastrous environmental and human impact of climate change.