A billion could be in extreme poverty by 2030 if leaders duck issues

The civil society is pushing leaders to embrace economic policies that check the soaring poverty levels and discrimination. Under the Action 2015 Kenya, the consortium of non-governmental organisations believe poverty, inequality and poor policies around climate change adversely affect millions of people around the world.

The groups have joined counterparts in the world in pressuring policy makers to revise the trend and improve the quality of life for millions of the vulnerable communities.

“Action 2015 partners and other stakeholders call on citizens to mount pressure on leaders and own local initiatives that can combat poverty, inequalities and issues of climate change,” a statement released by lead publicist BWL Agency, said.

In Kenya, Action 2015 Kenya campaign is organised by National Council of NGOs, Global Campaign Against Poverty (GCAP-Kenya), Agency Cooperation for Research and Development (Acord), Save the Children Kenya, VSO Jitolee, Help Age International, Young Women Leadership Institute, Organisation of Africa Youth and SEED Institute.

They want the progressive laws embedded in integrated development plans to be treated as fundamental human rights and given the necessary action. They also call for accelerated transition to 100 percent renewable energy so that a safer climate and sustainable economy for the benefit of the people and planet.

According to research, almost a billion more people face extreme poverty if leaders duck key decisions on poverty, inequality and climate change due to be taken at two crucial summits in New York and Paris later this year, with billions more continuing to face a life of hardship.

“However, if leaders fail to deliver and build on the growing momentum for ambitious deals at the UN special summit on sustainable development in September and the UN climate talks in Paris in December and scale back their efforts, the number of people living in extreme poverty could actually increase to 1.2 billion by 2030,” said BWL.

The civil society groups say that the number of people living in extreme poverty – living on less than $1.25 a day - could be reduced dramatically from one billion to 360 million by 2030 if sound policies are adopted.

Based on research by the University of Denver in the US, it has been estimated that about 4 percent of the global population would live in extreme poverty by 2030 compared to the current 17 percent if world leaders embrace good practices.