New research shows we must act now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

1 Sept 2008

New research [1] by the world-renowned Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research shows that government policies focusing on long-term emission reductions will not be enough to avoid dangerous climate change.

In response to the research, to be published by the Royal Society [2] (embargo Monday 1 September 2008), Friends of the Earth Cymru's Director Gordon James said:

"This research is a giant wake-up call to the whole world. It's now clear that we can't put off taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for decades, years or even months.

"It's vital that Wales plays its part in making the emissions cuts we need right now. Every decision we make from today must be seen through the lens of climate change. How we travel, how we generate our energy, how we house and feed ourselves all have to be working to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

"The research shows that the Welsh Assembly Government is on the right track by insisting on annual targets for our emissions reductions. But aiming for 3% cuts is not going to be enough. There has to be a firm commitment to reductions, and we need to achieve emissions cuts of at least 6% a year.

"Each one of us can make a difference. Many of the solutions to climate change exist already. We know what we need to do - now we need the political action to make it happen."

Notes

1. Tyndall Centre research: Reframing the climate change challenge in light of post-2000 emission trends by Kevin Anderson, Alice Bows
   Stabilising greenhouse gas emissions at a level that will avoid 'dangerous climate change' is no longer viable without an immediate reframing of current climate policy. By focussing on long-term emission targets, such as 50% by 2050, climate policy has essentially ignored the crucial importance of current emission trends and their impact on cumulative emissions. As a consequence, although we should aim to reduce global emissions in line with a 2ºC target, adaptation policy must focus on climate change impacts associated with 4ºC or more.

2. Published in The Royal Society's Philosophical Transaction Journal, available online at http://royalsociety.org/ from Monday 1 September 2008