Archived press release

Government to launch strategy for UN climate change talks

25 June 2009

***Andy Atkins, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, will be available for interview at the Government's announcement from 8:30am until 11:00am***

The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown will launch The Road to Copenhagen tomorrow (26 June), outlining the Government's position in advance of the crucial UN climate changetalks in Copenhagen this December.

The climate talks are vital if world leaders are to agree how to cut greenhouse gas emissions fast, and fairly, in order to keep global temperature rises under 2 degrees centigrade.

Ahead of the Government's announcement, Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

"These talks are vital if the world is to avoid runaway global warming. But attempts to reach a strong and fair global agreement on climate change will fail unless the Government unveils a world-leading package of proposals.

"The Government has shown genuine leadership by introducing a new law to cut UK emissions - it must now go even further by urgently introducing carbon-cutting policies and taking a leading position in securing a just and effective agreement in Copenhagen.

"The UK must stop promoting the 'con' of carbon offsetting - it will do nothing to tackle climate change or provide developing countries with anywhere near the funding needed to develop cleanly, and stops real action on cutting emissions at home - meaning the UK is missing out on the thousands of new green industries and jobs this would create."

"Friends of the Earth is calling on people to join its campaign to Demand Climate Change and ensure our government acts now to prevent 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 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;

· Stop supporting proposals to include 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 http://www.demandclimatechange.org/.

2. Friends of the Earth believes the environment is for everyone. We want a healthy planet and a good quality of life for all those who live on it. We inspire people to act together for a thriving environment. We campaign on a range of issues including climate change, biodiversity, waste, transport and food. For further information visit http://www.foe.co.uk/.

3. 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 http://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