Press release

Chris Huhne sets out UK ambition for Durban climate talks

24 November 2011

Commenting on a speech given today (24 November 2011) by Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne, setting out the UK's negotiating position for the UN climate talks starting on Monday in Durban, South Africa, Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

"Chris Huhne is right to recognise the urgency of tackling climate change - from our balmy British autumn to the devastating flooding in Pakistan, global warming is playing havoc with the world's weather systems and putting millions of lives in danger.

"We're pleased the UK is committed to achieving legally-binding emissions cuts under an extension to the Kyoto Protocol, but if we're going to protect people from dangerous climate change and boost British jobs, we need agreement quickly - and by 2015 at the latest. 

"The EU must show leadership in Durban by backing a new climate agreement without dodgy offsetting - but that backing must be unconditional if we are going to persuade the other big emitters to follow suit.

"The UK must also play its part by finding new sources of funding to help poor countries reduce their emissions, such as a tax on financial transactions - after all, helping these nations grow cleanly will lower the cost of renewable energy worldwide, and save all of us money long-term."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1.            Chris Huhne's speech is available to download from the DECC website.  

2.            In November 2011 the United Nations weather agency released a report saying greenhouse gases are at their highest-ever level, and are increasing faster than ever.

3.            In November 2011 a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) compiled by 220 scientists warned extreme weather will strike as climate change takes hold.

4.            In November 2011 the International Energy Agency warned over the urgent need to switch to clean power.

5.            Friends of the Earth is asking ordinary people to take online action to ask Tomasz Chruszczow, Europe's lead negotiator in Durban, to make sure the EU:

• unconditionally supports a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol;
• agrees to a legally-binding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 40 per cent by 2020, without carbon offsetting;
• closes current loopholes, like carbon trading, which allow the EU to keep polluting.

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