Weak Copenhagen deal not enough: repeat the class
Date: 19-Dec-2009
The Copenhagen deal is disappointingly weak, falls well short of a treaty that would avoid dangerous climate change and still needs serious work.
“This is a ‘wing and a prayer’ deal. While it does commit to keep warming below 2 degrees, it leaves all the hard decisions on how to get there to the fate of ongoing negotiations next year,” said Don Henry, Executive Director of the Australian Conservation Foundation.
“Disappointingly the proposed Accord contains no 2050 or 2020 emissions reduction targets, with countries to submit their 2020 targets by 1 February.
“We are very worried the proposed Copenhagen Accord does not commit to a new legally binding treaty and only proposes another ‘conference of the parties’ meeting, scheduled for Mexico in December 2010.
“The proposed $10 billion a year in the short term and a goal of $100 billion a year by 2020 would be a start to help developing countries deal with climate change.
“It’s clear many world leaders here are moving forward to cut emissions and transition to low carbon economies – regardless of the outcome at Copenhagen. Australia is at risk of being left behind. We urgently need a comprehensive set of national climate laws.
“Without a legally binding treaty on the table, these negotiations should be suspended and world leaders should come together again early in the new year to get it right.
“This is not good enough to fly and we urge the leaders to come back together again as soon as possible. Repeat the class!”