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For Immediate Release
December, 08 2009, 11:40am EDT
Contact:
Meena Raman, Friends of the Earth Malaysia + 45 52 68 46 29
Rikke Rasmussen, Friends of the Earth Denmark, Tel: + 45 21 68 18 05
Nick Berning, Friends of the Earth US media officer, +45 30 48 31 73
Friends of the Earth International media line +45 30 74 94 69
Leaked Copenhagen Accord Text Profoundly Unjust
COPENHAGEN
Commenting on a text drafted by
the Danish Government which has been leaked today to the media [1] Meena
Raman, Honorary Secretary of Friends of the Earth Malaysia said:
"The leaked draft Copenhagen Agreement violates the democratic
principles of the UN and threatens the Copenhagen negotiations. By
discussing their text in secret back-room meetings with a few select
countries the Danes are doing the opposite of what the world expects the
host country to do. The Danish government must stop colluding with other
rich nations. Instead it must take as a starting point the positions of
developing countries - which are the least responsible for climate
change, but who are most affected by it."
"The only way to achieve a strong and just climate agreement is by
including all countries, sticking to the principles of the UN Climate
Convention. The Danish 'Rich-country Agreement' must be ditched and the
UN process must get back on track here in Copenhagen."
Friends of the Earth International believes that:
Rich, developed countries should cut their greenhouse gas emissions by
at least 40% in comparison with 1990 levels by 2020. These cuts should
be made at home - with no offsetting. Offsetting, including through the
'Clean Development Mechanism', is a false solution and should be rejected.Rich, developed countries owe to developing countries a climate debt
that is the result of decades of pollution. This debt must be recognised
and repaid, for example through massive emission reductions and through
the provision of sufficient public funds democratically through the UN
to fight climate change.The World Bank and its climate funds must be rejected as they are set
to increase developing country debt and promote dirty energy such as
"clean" coal.Including forests in 'carbon offsetting initiatives' does not help to
combat climate change. Instead, it diverts attention from the real
solutions to climate change and deforestation. Plantations are not
forests. Monoculture tree plantations must be excluded from the UN
climate negotiations.
NOTES:
[1] More information, including a link to the full Danish text, can be
found here:
_https://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/08/copenhagen-climate-summit-disarray-danish-text_
More information about the Copenhagen UN talks can be found on
https://www.foei.org/en/media/cop-15-resources
Friends of the Earth International is the world's largest grassroots environmental network, uniting 74 national member groups and some 5,000 local activist groups on every continent. With over 2 million members and supporters around the world, FOEI campaigns on today's most urgent environmental and social issues.
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