Archived press release

Weak agreement reached in Copenhagen - rich countries failed to show real leadership

18 December 2009

Commenting on the outcome of the UN climate change talks in Copenhagen Andy Atkins, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, said:

"This toothless declaration that the US is spinning as a success is a sham - this agreement won't stop a two degree rise in temperature, and as it stands condemns millions of the world's poorest people to hunger, suffering and loss of life as climate change accelerates.

"We need a profound change of approach from the world's wealthiest countries to secure a genuine strong and fair agreement. No more greenwashing and no more empty promises."

Andy Atkins added:

"The only success at Copenhagen has been for rich countries who used backroom deals to ditch their duty to cut emissions first, and for corporate lobbyists who want to continue business as usual.

"From the outset rich countries have had low ambition and even lower tactics, aiming to undermine the weak framework already in place to cut emissions.

"Big developing countries have put forward bold and fair proposals, which have been sidelined by rich countries, and are already taking strong action to tackle climate change domestically, through their own efforts.

"President Obama's take it or leave it ultimatum was shameful - his offer of pitiful emissions cuts and money offers fell a long way short of what is required. Now he is trying to save face presenting a flimsy declaration as a successful conclusion to the talks.

"Tonight's declaration will need to be radically altered and strengthened to set the world on a pathway to avoid runaway climate change."

"Real leadership at the conference has come from the hundreds of thousands of ordinary people who have joined with developing nations to demand strong action to prevent climate catastrophe. Their voices must be heard over the next year's negotiations, now more than ever."

Notes to Editors:

1. Friends of the Earth believes that a strong and fair agreement on climate change
would include measures which would see:

· Rich countries to fulfill their legal and moral responsibility to cut emissions first and fast - and pledge to cut emissions by at least 40 per cent
by 2020 at home without offsetting
· New, public money for rich countries, under the authority of the UN, to adequately fund developing country adaptation and mitigation
· The leaders of rich countries to abandon their promotion of carbon trading - an irresponsible and dangerous gamble which will do nothing to protect
us from catastrophic climate change;
· Proposals to be scrapped which would allow rich countries to buy chunks of forest whilst continuing to pump out emissions: an approach which
won't solve climate change or halt deforestation.

2. Friends of the Earth is part of Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, the UK's largest group of people dedicated to action on climate change and limiting its impact on the world's poorest communities. The coalition's supporter base of more than 11 million people spans over 100 organisations, from environment and development charities to unions, faith, community and women's groups. Together we demand practical action by the UK to keep temperatures well below an average 2 degree rise. For further information visit www.stopclimatechaos.org.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust