Hivos news
Disappointing outcome of Copenhagen climate summit
Hivos believes that world leaders should be ashamed about the outcome of the climate negotiations in Copenhagen. After years of preparation, weeks of meeting and a summit attended by all world leaders, the UN members have still not signed a treaty on tackling climate change. The only decision taken by the UN countries is to recognise the so-called Copenhagen Accord. This identifies and recognises the need to combat climate change, but does not draw the necessary conclusions or impose binding commitments. At the very last minute even the agreement that a binding treaty should be in place at next year’s summit in Mexico had disappeared.
The failure of the Copenhagen summit is bad news for people in developing countries. Even if the tenuous Copenhagen Accord is implemented, the warming of the earth will not be limited to two degrees. This will have disastrous consequences, particularly in developing countries. People in these countries are already the victims of unexpected variations in rainfall patterns – long periods of draught followed by flooding – and the number of deaths due to hurricanes and other extreme weather conditions as well as diseases like malaria and dengue fever will also rise. In Copenhagen the world leaders had the opportunity to sign a good treaty, but because of all the bickering and defending of national interests it simply did not happen.
The EU, including the Netherlands, must also shoulder some of the blame for this failure. For too long it denied that continuing Kyoto should be part of the next step in the process. Tuvalu’s two-pronged approach – which continues the Kyoto Protocol alongside a protocol that involves broader obligations – is very commendable. Of course the US and emerging economies like China should also contribute to reducing emissions. This may be the most significant positive aspect of the Copenhagen Declaration. These countries, which were not yet participating in the Kyoto Protocol, now recognise the need to combat climate change.
There’s not much time to dwell on the Copenhagen failure, however. We have no other option but to continue the battle against climate change. Under the Copenhagen Accord, countries must submit their emission targets before 1 February 2010. We must stick closely to these targets and the EU must commit to at least a 30% reduction through measures in the EU. Money will also be released for developing countries. These countries must adequately prepare for these funds and prove that they are capable of using them effectively. Hivos and its partners believe that this money must above all benefit the most vulnerable people in these countries. In 2010, Hivos will continue to strive for an effective and sustainable energy policy.
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