Copenhagen, Denmark – The “Copenhagen Accord” has failed to
create a legally binding framework for nations to address climate change, and
has not properly addressed the key issues of deforestation and adaptation, but
it does provide hope for the future, Conservation International said today.
It is a step forward – agreement among a majority of nations, developed and
developing, to stabilizing the climate below 2 degrees Celsius, long-term
finance, transparent reporting, and a prompt start for developing country action
has never before been achieved. But time is running out for a global solution to
climate change and we must move quickly towards a global agreement.
The Copenhagen Accord has been created as a pragmatic attempt to play a “long
game” in which key players, such as the US, China, India and Brazil, are
properly engaged. However, the inherent risk in taking this long-term approach
to achieving a solution is that every passing day, month and year where
industrial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and deforestation continue at their
current pace exacerbates climate change and its impacts - and will make
solutions to the problem more costly and painful.
In particular, Conservation International is disappointed that REDD+ – the
mechanism for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation –
which had broad support from most nations, was not formally codified at COP15.
The recognition in Copenhagen that REDD+ is essential to effectively mitigate
climate change quickly and cost-effectively, and a pledge of immediate financing
to begin its implementation are both critical steps, but greater achievements on
REDD+ were within reach and were not achieved – these must be secured.
Deforestation and Forest degradation is responsible for almost 17 per cent of
global GHG emissions, more than all the motorized vehicles in the world.
Dr Fred Boltz, head of Conservation International’s Copenhagen delegation,
said: “It is, of course, critical that the US, China and all major economies are
properly engaged in solving the climate crisis, and as such the Copenhagen
Accord is important. But it does not create a legally binding global framework
to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions, and time is running out.
“However the inability of the UNFCCC to create a legally binding framework
does not mean that climate change cannot be addressed – but it means that the
responsibility still rests with individual nations rather than the global
community. We must all, in every developed country, push our governments to act
with speed and decisiveness to reduce emissions both domestically and abroad,
and to invest heavily in supporting developing nations to adapt to the impacts
of climate change. The commitment to a Copenhagen Green Climate Fund creates an
opportunity, which we must seize and translate to developing country action
The creation of this $30bn Fund to tackle climate change over the next three
years is an important move, but the amount is woefully inadequate to meet the
needs and commitments of developing countries to tackling both emissions
reductions and adaptation to climate change. The rest of the world must respond
at a scale that equals the ambitions of nations like Peru which has committed to
ending deforestation by 2020 and Brazil, which is demonstrating true global
leadership in reducing deforestation, setting ambitious mitigation goals and
even financing global efforts.
The Accord offers a means of building confidence within the US that its
legislation will not be preempted or prejudiced by international agreements. It
will enable the US to engage more aggressively in emissions reduction and
financing commitments, based upon a sound foundation agreed and committed by the
American people. We have confidence that such legislation will be achieved and
will provide a platform for the US to take its place of leadership along
countries from all regions to tackle the climate challenge.
Dr Boltz added: “The UN process has not delivered the goods. The Copenhagen
Accord, while better than nothing, is not enough. We must take advantage of the
prompt start that it offers to translate rhetoric to action in reducing
deforestation and other forms of emissions, and providing for the adaptation
needs of threatened communities and ecosystems.
“We face the challenge of preserving a planet suitable for humankind. We must
regroup and act decisively in 2010 to forge a proper global agreement with
adequate emissions cuts and financing to tackle climate change. The clock is no
longer just ticking – it’s ringing an alarm, and if we don’t listen the
consequences for people and biodiversity will be catastrophic.”
Notes to editors:
REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest
Degradation “plus” conservation, the sustainable management of forests and
enhancement of forest carbon) aims at providing compensation to halt the
deforestation and degradation of natural forests and increase their recovery and
permanent conservation. REDD+ strategies and activities have great potential to
contribute to environmental, economic and social goals beyond carbon storage.
This approach is consistent with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
goal of achieving climate goals while contributing to sustainable development as
well as other Millennium Development Goals that countries have adopted.
Conservation International (CI): Building upon a strong foundation of
science, partnership and field demonstration, CI empowers societies to
responsibly and sustainably care for nature for the well-being of humanity. With
headquarters in Washington, D.C., CI works in more than 40 countries on four
continents. For more information, visit www.conservation.org.
Visit also our COP15 page at www.conservation.org/COP15