Archived press release

Government announces Copenhagen manifesto

26 June 2009

Responding to the Government's announcement of its manifesto for achieving global agreement at Copenhagen, Andy Atkins, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, said:

"The Government's recognition that finance is key to breaking the deadlock in the stalled UN talks offers some hope of progress - but we have no chance of achieving the cuts required through the con of carbon offsetting.

"Continued support for offsetting through expanding carbon markets will neither tackle climate change nor set Britain on a low carbon path to new green jobs and industries.

"Ministers' fixation with carbon markets to deliver this finance is misplaced and dangerous - they enable rich countries to offset most of their emissions but the science demands that rich countries make big cuts and, in addition, provide finance to develop cleanly in developing countries."

He added:

"And $100 billion for developing countries to develop cleanly and adapt to the effects of climate change already putting millions of lives at risk is inadequate. The latest estimates suggest rich countries must provide double this figure if we're to make serious headway in averting climate catastrophe."

Friends of the Earth is demanding that the Government changes its approach to climate change with its Demand Climate Change campaign. The green campaign group is asking everyone to sign its international petition to world leaders at www.demandclimatechange.org.

Friends of the Earth is calling for:

* The Government to abandon its promotion of carbon offsetting and pledge to cut emissions by at least 40% by 2020 at home;
* New and sufficient money for developing countries, distributed through the UN, so that they can develop cleanly and adapt to the effects of climate change which are already putting millions of lives at risk;
* No inclusion of rainforests in carbon markets, so that rich countries can buy up large tracts of land to offset their emissions.

Notes to editors:

1. Friends of the Earth is asking people to join its international petition to demand a strong and fair agreement at the culmination of the talks in Copenhagen later this year at www.demandclimatechange.org.

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