Archived press release

Leaked Copenhagen accord text

8 December 2009

Commenting on the draft text by the Danish Government which has been leaked, threatening the UN negotiations in Copenhagen, Andy Atkins, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, said:

"The draft Copenhagen Agreement is profoundly destructive - it violates the principles of the UN negotiations.

"In massively expanding the con of carbon offsetting, and in giving a role for distributing new money for developing countries to the World Bank - the largest lender for fossil fuel projects on the planet - this accord would be a disaster.

"The Danes holding secret back-room meetings with a few select countries is also deeply disappointing - the world expects the host country be neutral.

"Instead, we have Denmark colluding with other rich nations to stitch up the talks before they've even begun - and excluding representatives of developing countries, those which are the least responsible for having caused climate change, but who will suffer most if we fail to tackle it.

"The only way to achieve a strong and fair agreement is in an even-handed and open way - with the inclusion of all countries, sticking to the principles of the UN Climate Convention. It's time to ditch this "Rich-country Agreement"
before it even gets off the starting blocks."

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 for a strong and fair climate deal at www.demandclimatechange.org.

Notes to editors

1. The leaked text can be seen here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/08/copenhagen-climate-summit-disarray-danish-text

2. At the Copenhagen talks, Friends of the Earth is calling for:
• Rich countries to fulfil their legal and moral responsibility cut
emissions first and fast - and pledge to cut emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2020 at home without offsetting
• 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.

3.Helen Baxendale is supporting Friends of the Earth's Demand Climate Change campaign and is available for interview, in London from 7-10 December, and in Copenhagen 12-13 December. She can be contacted through the Friends of the Earth press office - please call Jenny Collins on 020 7566 4093.

4.Friends of the Earth International is also one of the key organisers of the alternative people's summit known as the Klimaforum with allied organisations such as La Via Campesina and the World March of Women. Thousands of voices demanding climate justice will also be presented in a 'climate capsule'
exhibition at the Klimaforum and Bella Centre.

5.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