The UN, Oxfam, Christian Aid and WaterAid all step up to ‘pledge to the Edge’

The United Nations, Oxfam, Christian Aid and WaterAid have all pledged their support for the Eden Project’s bid to build the Edge.

The support of the major institutions is a huge boost for Eden’s campaign in the Big Lottery Fund’s: The People’s £50 Million Contest.

Eden’s bid for the Edge – a visionary new building meeting the challenges of climate change - is up against three other UK projects. Internet voting begins on November 26 and after a series of ITV programmes, phone voting is during December 7-10.

Pledging the UN’s support for the Edge, Anna Tibaijuka, Under Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, said: "Climate change and its impacts are one of the most important challenges for the future of mankind.

“It is a global phenomenon and its impacts will be felt locally - in cities, towns, and other human settlements in the rural areas. As the United Nations agency for human settlements, UN-HABITAT is concerned with those amongst us that are already living on the edge, surviving with limited resources and in difficult and extreme circumstances.

“Estimates indicate that already one third of the billion people now living in slums are environmental refugees. But even in cities, it is the poor who are most affected by rising sea levels, floods and hurricanes.

”We are therefore pleased and excited to support Eden and the Edge, which will be a place that engages with all the great issues of our age, such as climate change, water supply, energy and resources.

“It will be a gathering space where solutions to challenges such as these will be explored by local communities with a global perspective, and will provide a setting in which to demonstrate that whilst resources may be limited, our imagination and ingenuity is not."

The UN's support for the Edge comes on the back of their Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's latest report, published last week, which states that the earth is definitely warming up and that the likelihood of this being caused by man-made greenhouse gas emissions is greater than 90 per cent.

The IPCC was last month jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore, former US Vice President and leading global warming campaigner.

Tony Kendle, Eden’s Foundation Director, said: "The fact that the UN and the major charities Oxfam, Christian Aid and WaterAid are supporting us is of crucial importance.

“These organisations are on the front-line in meeting the challenges of a changing climate. The UN’s latest report on climate change tells us that it is a definite phenomenon but it also says that we're not doomed and there are things we can do to minimise the impact. This is why the Edge is so important.

"By acting as a meeting place and a focal point for ideas, the Edge can play a vital role in our efforts to mitigate the effects of global warming by showing mankind is capable of amazing things."

Barbara Stocking, Director of Oxfam GB, said: “Oxfam has been very pleased to work with the Eden Project over several years on issues ranging from trade justice to climate poverty. I am delighted to add our support to the Eden Project's concept for the Edge, which will enable visitors to discover how we might live in a future adapted to climate change.

“The Edge will highlight the issues that Oxfam also strives to tackle in its work. Climate change is already hitting the poorest and most vulnerable; the Edge will take a positive approach to explore how we can collaborate to tackle it globally. I welcome the imaginative approach Eden Project are bringing to the challenge of climate change and we look forward to continuing our work together.”

Christian Aid Director Daleep Mukarji said: “Supporting Eden’s bid for the People’s £50 Million Contest is a logical step for us. We help poor people prepare for and adapt to the devastating effects of climate change. If Eden’s bid for the Edge can help to address some of the challenges we face – through discussion, innovation and sustainable solutions – then this will be a positive outcome for the world’s poor.”

Barbara Frost, Chief Executive of WaterAid, said: “WaterAid is wholeheartedly backing the Edge in the People’s £50 Million Contest. This exciting and innovative centre will help raise awareness of the global water and sanitation crisis – encouraging people to actively get involved and make a difference. We wish the Eden Project the very best of luck.”

Simon Trace, CEO of Practical Action, said: “The Eden Project is an outstanding venture. In addition to its work in presenting man’s relationships with plants, it has been active in raising public awareness in the UK of the causes of poverty in the developing world and possible solutions. Practical Action has been proud to collaborate with the Eden Project and looks forward to working with it again in the future. I wish the Eden Project every success in its efforts to build its proposed new facility the Edge."

The Edge represents the next great phase at Eden. Its scale and ambition will make it an international icon of sustainability. The building will be a model of cutting-edge architecture and technology, harvesting water and energy from the sun, wind, and rain to show how we all might live in the future. It will be a testament to one-planet living, built to the lowest possible carbon footprint and designed to last. Inside there will be amazing desert, oasis and water gardens on a scale never attempted undercover.