Climate Clinic 2009 - The road to Copenhagen
 |
 |
 |
The Road to Copenhagen – decarbonising the world
Climate Change isn't a fringe event,
it's the main event.
Climate change is the greatest threat our civilisation has ever faced and is set to dominate the political and security agenda for the rest of our lives.
So let’s talk about it.
The Climate Clinic is a forum where party leaders, ministers, renowned scientists, opinion formers, environmentalists, low-carbon associations, business leaders and the public come together to debate the issues, spotlight the solutions and press for urgent action and vigorous political leadership.
And it won’t work without you.
We invite you to check out Climate Clinic 2009 at the annual Political Party Conferences in Bournemouth (Liberal Democrat 19 –23 Sept), Brighton (Labour 27 Sept –1 Oct) and Manchester (Conservative 5 - 8 Oct).
We are a coalition of over 20 of the world's leading environment and development organisations, think tanks, public bodies and professional associations demanding political action on climate change. We are working together to show politicians how climate change is affecting us all and to provide urgent and much needed solutions.
Please come and visit us at each of our Climate Clinic venues in Bournemouth, Brighton and Manchester. We will be providing free refreshments and Wi-Fi throughout the day. map map
Keep a look out at conference for the special Climate Clinic supplements at each of the party conferences brought to you by The Independent.
Climate Change in 2009
The Climate Clinic now enters its 4th year as the hub for environmental thinking at party conferences, but never before has climate change been so urgently visible in the political landscape.
Climate Clinic this year will set out the road to Copenhagen. In December, just weeks after the conference season ends we will see UN climate change talks open in Copenhagen. These crucial talks are designed to thrash out a new global climate change agreement, setting out the international pathway to take the world beyond the Kyoto Protocol. Negotiations in Copenhagen must produce a new international protocol that can deliver the stringent emission reductions required by the science to minimize the impacts of climate change.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has made it clear that deep and rapid cuts in carbon emissions are required if we are to limit the global temperature rise to 2˚C, the point at which dangerous climate change impacts will start to occur. The reality of climate change is outstripping the predictions, as evidence mounts that reaching the tipping point of 2˚C is a greater threat than previously understood. Thus the window of opportunity to avoid runaway climate change is rapidly diminishing.
Climate change has widespread impacts locally and internationally, on economies, health, security and crucially the biodiversity that our economies and welfare depend upon. The challenge is huge, but the momentum and opportunity for change has never been greater.
We have seen some domestic progress in the UK with the Climate Change Act passing into law, recent Government announcements of policies designed to meet the new carbon budgets including by ramping up UK renewable energy and energy efficiency, and commitments to carbon budgets. These advances, though are undercut by other decisions such as approving a third runway at Heathrow. Gordon Brown has also proposed a global climate fund to provide money from industrialised countries to developing nations to help them mitigate and adapt to climate change. This is by no means a new idea, but now there's a number to start the conversation with - a 'working figure' of $100bn per year by 2020, from a combination of private funds, public purses and the carbon markets. This is an inadequate sum to deal with the scale of the problem, but it’s a starting point for discussion.
Most importantly, internationally we now have a US administration reinventing its climate policy and engaging globally, especially with key players in the industrialising world, particularly China. But Obama still has a long way to go to follow the necessarily tough pathway required.
Overall Copenhagen needs to follow the scientific consensus to limit the global temperature rise to 2˚C. This in practice means ensuring that global greenhouse gas emissions peak by about 2015, and start declining rapidly thereafter, reaching as close to zero as possible by 2050. The UK has committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 (compared to 1990 levels).
To deliver on this overarching aim Copenhagen needs to reach agreement in a number of key areas:
- Binding emissions reductions for developed countries. Many organisations are calling for reductions of at least 40% by 2020 (compared to 1990 levels), with minimal offsets. This translates into an agreement for developed countries to reduce emissions by 23% in the next period of 2013-2017.
- A reduction in projected emissions growth from developing nations, with support from developed nations. Reductions in the region of 15-30% by 2020 have been called for.
- A funding mechanism to be established to reduce emissions from deforestation and associated emissions, known as REDD – Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. This is not presently included in the Kyoto Protocol. Many organisations aim for a REDD mechanism to achieve zero deforestation by 2015-2020, but the precise details of funding are much contested. Developed countries need to commit to adequate funding to enable developing countries to speed up the switch to clean technology, rapidly reduce tropical forest destruction and to adapt to unavoidable climate change impacts on a wide scale. Public funding in the region of USD 160 billion a year will be required.
Underlying the details of these negotiations is the principle of common but differentiated responsibility, whereby the developed world takes responsibility for the burden of its historical emissions that have driven climate change. Also of key importance is the principle of providing support to allow developing nations to develop sustainably and equitably.
It is likely that Copenhagen will see the usual jostling between special interests. Crucially there are difficult international tensions to be resolved on finance and emissions reductions. At present we are witnessing a deadlock between the developed and developing worlds whereby the developed world is reluctant to provide adequate funding and support to the developing world to transform their economies along a low-carbon pathway without emissions commitments from them, whilst the developing world is reluctant to make such commitments without explicit finance and support. Resolution of these issues of burden-sharing and funding are likely to determine whether Copenhagen can be judged a success or not.
To avert the worst impacts of climate change unprecedented international co-operation and commitment is necessary. So it is clear that Copenhagen this December requires a new kind of leadership, one that goes beyond borders, transcends parochial concerns, acknowledges global and historical differences, recognises our interdependence in maintaining a habitable planet, looks beyond short-term costs to long-term implications, seizes the opportunity and necessity to exchange knowledge and technology, moves beyond immediate reactions to political and economic cycles, acknowledges that action on climate change does not limit economies but underpins their future health, recognises the power and importance of global community, and delivers meaningful stewardship through effective action and co-operation to deal with the greatest threat that we all face.
In summary, the Copenhagen Summit needs to agree to binding, timely and deep emissions reductions that are ambitious, equitable and fair. These must be supported by funding mechanisms and policies that enable a sustainable energy future, protect our vital natural forests and create a renewable energy step-change, while meeting the needs of the poor.
Concocting a fudge is not an option, we don’t have time for half-measures. Failure to agree on a strong, effective deal will only serve to accelerate a spiral into resource conflicts, massive environmental refugee movements and natural catastrophes as unsustainable pressure builds on natural systems. UN climate chief Yvo de Boer was driven to tears at the UN Bali climate conference at the end of 2007, let’s hope we all have good reason to smile this time in Copenhagen. Importantly, the job isn’t over once the talks conclude in Denmark, agreements mean nothing without delivery, and the finance and political will and commitment to achieve that. The world will be watching.
Climate Clinic will be discussing the key climate issues on the road to Copenhagen, including: delivering a fair deal at Copenhagen, coal and energy policy, deforestation, creating a low-carbon economy, party manifestos, transport, biodiversity, sustainability, education, civil society and justice. Check out the listings on the website to find out more.
Start out on the road to Copenhagen at the Climate Clinic. It’s got everything you need, except the mermaid.
Climate Clinic Members
Business Council for Sustainable Energy UK
Campaign for Better Transport
Christian Aid
Combined Heat & Power Association
Dea
Energy Saving Trust
The Equality Trust
Fairtrade Foundation
Friends of the Earth
Green Alliance
Greenpeace
LGiU
LowCarbon Vehicle Partnership
Micropower Council
National Energy Action
New economics foundation nef
Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Sera
Sustain
WWF
Supported by
British Gas communities and new energy
Capgemini
The Co-operative
eaga
Fairtrade Foundation
icomera
The Independent
Microsoft
Music at Nothbrook
Picture Perfect Audio Visual PPAV
Stylorouge Design