WWF has welcomed the initiative taken by a new group of countries in showing the way forward as the latest round of UN climate talks drew to a close in Accra, Ghana today.
WWF has welcomed the initiative taken by a new group of countries in
showing the way forward as the latest round of UN climate talks drew to
a close in Accra, Ghana today.
Confirming trends observed at previous talks, Accra again demonstrated
that the EU is losing its role as a climate leader to a range of
developing countries and creative players such as Norway, Switzerland,
Mexico, South Korea and India as well as the tiny Pacific island of
Tuvalu.
By improving old proposals or fleshing out new ones, these countries
are becoming reliable agents of progress. Together with big emerging
economies they form the new engine of the talks, highlighted by South
Korea’s pledge in Accra to set emission reduction targets and boost
renewable energies.
While the mandate to agree a new global climate treaty by 2009 remains
a gigantic challenge, Accra showed that overcoming the muddle of
conflicting views and crafting an effective deal to tackle climate
change is possible and depends on the political will to show leadership.
“Currently the glory in the global fight against climate change is
reserved for those progressive governments which are getting the debate
further down to the essentials,†says Kim Carstensen, Director WWF
Global Climate Initiative.
“The cumbersome talks in Accra did not stop a first group of determined
negotiators from working towards a critical shift in the debate, but a
success at the next climate talks in Poznan is far from secured and we
need to see more countries engage seriously in lifting the political
ambitions.â€
According to WWF governments managed to push their critical discussions
closer to conclusions on some key issues: strategies are shaping up to
reduce CO2 emissions from the destruction of forests, while talks about
financing deep emission cuts and adaptation to climate impacts have
gained clarity. However, other tracks of the complex negotiations
failed to progress in Accra and are falling dangerously behind schedule.
“Smoke grenades thrown by backward parties and an overdose of
procedural discussions have paralyzed the climate talks and overwhelmed
negotiators for too long,†said Kathrin Gutmann, Policy Coordinator WWF
Global Climate Initiative. “In Accra we start seeing the first positive
examples of constructive dialogue led by innovative parties, which
should become a solid trend in Poznan in December.â€
“The EU disappointed in Accra, just like it disappointed at previous
talks in Bonn, expressing regret for coming to the negotiation table
with empty hands,†said Diane McFadzien, Programme Coordinator WWF
Global Climate Initiative. “Poznan should be a home match for the
Europeans and a perfect opportunity to live up to their full potential
- in order to avoid matching Canada, Russia, Japan, Australia and the
US in their lack of ambition.â€
For further information please see press release here