Copenhagen 2009
Great disappointment after Copenhagen Conference
Bond members and climate campaigners all over the world have expressed their anger and frustration about the outcomes of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Read reactions by Bond members below.
More than 110 heads of state and government including Prime Minister Gordon Brown and US President Barack Obama attended the summit but it seems many leaders focused more on political power plays than real outcomes to protect the world from climate change.
Nick Roseveare said: "Bond members were very active around the Copenhagen Conference campaigning for a strong agreement that would bring hope to people in developing countries who suffer most from the impact of climate change. Yet, neither a binding nor an ambitious agreement was reached. We must work in 2010 to make sure that addressing climate change remains a priority on the international political agenda and a legally binding agreement with strong commitments, and additional funding for the poorest, is reached as soon as possible. The EU must play a key role in these discussions committing to ambitious emission cuts and sufficient climate financing for developing countries."
At the UN Conference, the Copenhagen Accord was agreed yet has not been signed by all developing countries. The Accord is not legally binding and includes only very limited concessions by developed countries. Although recognising the urgent need to keep global warming below an increase of 2 degrees Celsius, the document does not suggest any specific measures nor figures for reducing emissions.
In the Accord, developed countries commit to provide additional funding for adaptation and mitigation up to $30 bn for the period 2010-2012 which will partly be disbursed through a newly established Copenhagen Green Climate Fund. Yet, this promise falls way short of the minimum $150 billion needed annually, as demanded by Bond members in the Vote Global Manifesto, to sufficiently support developing countries in their fight against the impact of climate change on poor communities.
The next conference of the parties of the UNFCCC is taking place in Mexico in December 2010. Yet, governments worldwide need to act now to prevent global poverty to increase.
Bond members very active ahead of and during the Copenhagen Conference
Many Bond members, particularly the Bond Development and Environment Group, were very active before and during the Copenhagen Conference, lobbying the UK and other EU and international governments. In the UK, the coalition Stop Climate Chaos organised a major march - The Wave on 5 December 2009 - which attracted over 50,000 people.
Now, we all need to look to 2010 and make sure that discussions from Copenhagen continue until we have achieved "an ambitious, fair and globally binding deal" which commits developed countries to climate funds to help the poorest to adapt to the impact of climate change.
Bond members and other networks respond to Copenhagen
Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP)
TearfundWorld Development Movement
Official website
Official Copenhagen website: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Also read the Bond climate change asks in the Vote Global Manifesto
For more information or if you would like to join the Bond Development and Environment Group, please visit the DEG website or contact the Bond Advocacy team.
