Climate Conference in Copenhagen - an opportunity the world cannot miss!
dodano: 2009-12-07
During today’s opening session of the UN Climate Conference (COP 15) in Copenhagen, Danish Prime Minister Lars Lřkke Rasmussen and Polish Minister of Environment Maciej Nowicki emphasised that all countries are determined to conclude the negotiations with a success. However, according to Climate Coalition, if such declarations are not followed by just, ambitious and binding commitments by developed countries, it will a political failure with one of the most serious consequences.
Emission reduction targets declared so far by countries are too low. According to Climate Action Trackers[1], if they are not risen level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will increase to 800 ppm and consequently global temperature will rise by 3.5°C.
„Majority of declared reduction targets do not have much to do with needs in this area pointed out by scientists. It partly results from lack of trust among countries, short-term thinking and other priorities. Such short-sightedness usually does not pay off and is irresponsible. It is as if you are building a house on a flooded area, spending money on a decorative elevation and leaving nothing for insurance” - says Urszula Stefanowicz from Polish Ecological Club Mazovian Branch, a member of Climate Coalition.
In order to keep global temperature increase below 2°C and avoid runaway global warming, developed countries have to reduce their emissions by 40% by 2020 and 90% by 2050 in comparison with the 1990 level. These commitments, in a form of a legally binding document that would guarantee compliance, must be made in Copenhagen.
Climate Coalition emphasises that it is the developed countries that are responsible for climate changes and therefore it is mostly these countries that should cut emissions as well as provide support for tackling the problem of climate change, adaptation and reducing deforestation in developing countries that would be adequate to the needs. This support should be gradually increasing in order to reach at least €110bn annually by 2020. According to Climate Coalition, details of settlements made at the conference are extremely important as well. „Reductions have to be real. For example as result of many loopholes in the detailed provisions concerning e.g. LULUCF, emissions and absorption of CO2 from land use, land-use change and forestry the declared targets will be weakened” - says Urszula Stefanowicz.
New agreement must include a mechanism which would guarantee halting deforestation and forest degradation, encompass aviation and maritime sectors and reform flexibility mechanisms of emission reduction such as Clean Development Mechanism so that funds generated by them are distributed in a more rational and effective way. „Launching and strengthening of the Adaptation Fund for the poorest countries is particularly urgent so that their inhabitants are granted at least the minimum necessary for existence” - adds Andrzej Kassenberg from the Institute for Sustainable Development, a member of Climate Coalition. During the following two weeks there will be many battles fought on detailed provisions in the final text. If an ambitious, just and binding agreement is a result of these battles, Copenhagen can be called a success. There is still a chance for that.
In order to keep global temperature increase below 2°C and avoid runaway global warming, developed countries have to reduce their emissions by 40% by 2020 and 90% by 2050 in comparison with the 1990 level. These commitments, in a form of a legally binding document that would guarantee compliance, must be made in Copenhagen.
Climate Coalition emphasises that it is the developed countries that are responsible for climate changes and therefore it is mostly these countries that should cut emissions as well as provide support for tackling the problem of climate change, adaptation and reducing deforestation in developing countries that would be adequate to the needs. This support should be gradually increasing in order to reach at least €110bn annually by 2020. According to Climate Coalition, details of settlements made at the conference are extremely important as well. „Reductions have to be real. For example as result of many loopholes in the detailed provisions concerning e.g. LULUCF, emissions and absorption of CO2 from land use, land-use change and forestry the declared targets will be weakened” - says Urszula Stefanowicz.
New agreement must include a mechanism which would guarantee halting deforestation and forest degradation, encompass aviation and maritime sectors and reform flexibility mechanisms of emission reduction such as Clean Development Mechanism so that funds generated by them are distributed in a more rational and effective way. „Launching and strengthening of the Adaptation Fund for the poorest countries is particularly urgent so that their inhabitants are granted at least the minimum necessary for existence” - adds Andrzej Kassenberg from the Institute for Sustainable Development, a member of Climate Coalition. During the following two weeks there will be many battles fought on detailed provisions in the final text. If an ambitious, just and binding agreement is a result of these battles, Copenhagen can be called a success. There is still a chance for that.
[1] Climate Action Tracker, http://www.climateactiontracker.org/
« Back
