UK 'must take lead' in climate talks
Pressure groups call on UK to take lead in climate talks in Poland
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Monday, 01, Dec 2008 08:00
Pressure groups are calling on the UK to take the lead in climate talks in Poland today.
Environmentalists are hoping for the government to maintain its momentum, after signing a world-leading climate change bill into law last month cutting emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
Phil Bloomer, Oxfam campaigns and policy director, said: "We have the knowledge, resources and technology to tackle climate change and avert worst-case scenarios – if we choose to do so. What we lack is the political will, and progress so far has been wholly inadequate.
"The UK government can play a central role in changing that. We need to see even greater political urgency and leadership now to push for a good climate change deal than we saw in the face of the global financial crisis. The world only has a narrow window of opportunity to act."
Adair Turner's committee on climate change publishes its final report today, marking out how UK will set its carbon budget for the next 15 years.
Ed Miliband, energy and climate change secretary, and the rest of the UK ministerial delegation are expected to arrive in Poland on December 10th.
Activists are calling for the following agreements to be made before the end of the summit in Poznan:
To cut emissions by at least 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050 in order to try to limit warming to below 2C.
That rich countries must cut emissions first and furthest in line with their historic responsibility for causing climate change and their capacity to tackle it.
To provide at least $50 billion a year to help developing countries adapt to climate change.