Archived press release

UN climate talks open in Tianjin, China

1 October 2010

Speaking in advance of the UN climate talks opening next week (4th October) in Tianjin, China - the last round before the UN climate summit - from the 4th - 9th October, Friends of the Earth's Senior International Climate Campaigner Asad Rehman said:

"It's vital that progress is made in Tianjin on two main areas - new public money for developing countries and rich countries agreeing tough new emissions cuts under the Kyoto Protocol.

"The future of the Kyoto Protocol is in doubt because of US attempts to weaken the framework already in place to tackle climate change internationally - and now other countries, including Australia and Japan, are racing to put the lowest possible voluntary pledges on the table.

 "Distributing funding through the UN is the only way to ensure that it reaches the most vulnerable and is subject to proper democratic scrutiny. The World Bank - the largest international lender for fossil fuel projects - should not have any role in governing or designing the structure of a fund for developing countries.

"And rich countries should also provide public funding on a sufficient scale - at least $200 billion annually - to enable developing countries to adapt to the effects of climate change already wreaking havoc and to enable them to grow cleanly rather than relying on money from discredited carbon markets.

"Rich countries must also fulfill their legal responsibilities and agree tough new emissions targets of at least 40 per cent by 2020 without offsetting - only action on this scale will give the UN climate summit in Cancun the momentum needed to agree strong and fair action on climate change. If the US is unwilling to demonstrate a similar level of ambition then they should step aside from the negotiations rather than obstruct them.

"A summer of climate-related disasters - and the recent release of research from the Institute of Physics which shows we're on track for a 4.2 degree rise in global temperatures - shows how vital international action to tackle the problem really is."

Context

Negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place in Tianjin, China, from October 4-9. This is the final UNFCCC intercessional meeting this year prior to the annual Conference of the Parties, which will take place in Cancun, Mexico, in November and December.

At international climate negotiations next week, Friends of the Earth representatives in China will call on developed countries to stop stalling on deep emission cuts and adequate funding for climate solutions.

Friends of the Earth believes that the actions of the US are undermining the Kyoto Protocol. Instead, Friends of the Earth believes the US should step aside from the negotiating process and should plug its current emissions reduction pledge (currently 3-4 percent below 1990 levels by 2020) into its own special section of the Bali Action Plan while other developed countries continue with emissions reductions under the Kyoto Protocol.

Friends of the Earth believes this would allow negotiations to move forward and avoid the danger of a gap between Kyoto commitment periods, during which binding emissions reduction targets for other developed countries could disappear. The European Union, rather than continuing its strategy of catering to the US, should re-establish itself as a leader in the negotiations and champion the cause of binding, equitable, and science-based emissions targets.

Notes to editors:

1.    Friends of the Earth is supporting the campaign for a tax on financial transactions - a Robin Hood Tax - to provide finance for developing countries to develop cleanly and adapt to the effects of climate change. For further information visit www.robinhoodtax.org.uk

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. Over 90 per cent of our income comes from individuals so we rely on donations to continue our vital work. For further information visit www.foe.co.uk

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