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Thursday, April 15, 2010

Old Habits Die Hard at First UN Climate Conference of 2010

Source: Green Peace

Bonn, German, April 11, 2010 -- The first UNFCCC meeting since the
failed Copenhagen Climate Change Summit closed today, with countries
agreeing to minimal measures on how to move forward. The meeting was
marred by a complete  lack of the required sense of urgency as many
countries fell back on bad habits.

Instead of focusing on making progress on how to promote climate
solutions too many of the negotiators present chose to focus on
divergence and problems.

“Now is the time to focus on concrete actions on forest protection,
clean energy, adaptation and their financing,” said Wendel Trio,
Greenpeace International Climate Policy Coordinator. “Countries must
shift gears between now and June and use meetings such as the May
Ministerial in Germany and the High Level Advisory group on Climate
Finance and to push for real progress.”

At the same time it is critically important that any progress that is
made outside the UNFCCC be brought back to this forum to ensure the
full participation of all countries, particularly small island states,
African nations and least developed countries who are more engaged
than ever in the discussions.

“The sense of urgency and ambition the world desperately needs was
missing at this meeting,” said Trio. “Progressive countries must form
stronger alliances to push the big polluters forward in order to
achieve a fair, ambitious and legally binding deal as soon as
possible.”

The first step forward is the recognition of the immense gap between
governments' commitment under the so-called Copenhagen Accord to
keeping the average global temperature rise below 2°C, let alone
1.5°C, and current weak pledges that will lead to a catastrophic
temperature rise of over 3°C. This gap needs to be addressed as a
priority at the May 2-4 Ministerial meeting in Bonn.

The EU and countries like the US must increase their targets for
greenhouse gas emissions cuts as a clear sign that they are willing to
undertake ambitious climate action, after which they must ensure
fast-track financing is flowing.  Following the lead of the EU,
Greenpeace is calling on all developed countries to report on their
progress in fulfilling their commitment to provide new and additional
financial support to developing countries.

Greenpeace is an independent, global campaigning organisation that
acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the
environment, and to promote peace.

Contact:
Wendel Trio, Greenpeace International Climate Policy Coordinator, +32
4 7317 0887

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