Miljø- og Planlægningsudvalget 2008-09
MPU Alm.del Bilag 654
Offentligt
Statement from the GLOBE International Legislators’ Forum, Rome, to Leaders of theG8 and Major Economies Forum, 12-13 June 2009The world is facing dangerous climate change and is consuming natural resources at anunsustainable rate. We are entering anatural credit crunch,the losses from which have thepotential to dramatically exceed the suffering caused by the financial crisis, particularly for thepoorest and most vulnerable. As world leaders focus on economic recovery, they must take intoaccount the other global challenges – aggravated poverty and social instability, climate change,air quality, energy security and the degradation of both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Webelieve that the current concerns of global policy makers and leaders about economic recoverymust be consistent with the necessary initiatives to tackle these challenges and that a neweconomic cycle of green growth and job creation should be supported by the combination ofnew market frameworks and a new commitment that values our natural capital.In addition to mitigation of the human cost already caused by climate change, the single mostimportant priority is tocreate a real economic value for our natural capitaland create,through a set of new and more effective incentives to scientific research and the application ofits results, the conditions that safeguard its integrity. According to “The Economics ofEcosystems and Biodiversity” (TEEB) report, in forestry alone, we are losing natural capital worthbetween 2-5 trillion of USDannually– this equates to double the losses incurred in the currentfinancial crisisevery year.In just six months representatives from all countries will meet in Copenhagen to agree a newoutcome on full, effective and sustained implementation of the objectives of the UNFCCC.Finance is at the heart of those negotiations. Developed countries must be prepared to helpmeet the incremental costs of climate change mitigation and adaptation in developing countries.Developed countries’ early declaring on emissions reduction and finance commitments willbuild trust and enable developing countries to develop ambitious nationally appropriatemitigation action, adaptation plans and secure domestic political support ahead of COP15.On that basis we, as cross-party legislators from the developed and developing countries, urgeall leaders meeting at the G8 Summit and Major Economies Forum to:Ensure stimulus spending is consistent with development, climate and ecosystem goals.This will give leaders more confidence to agree to the necessary ambitious commitmentsor actions at the UN climate change negotiations in Copenhagen in December.
Further, we urge G8 and other developed country leaders to:Take a strategic approach to the climate change negotiations by making earlycommitments to medium-term emissions reductions in line with the IPCC’s analysis andan overall goal of limiting global temperature rise to 2 degs C;Publicly recognise the scale of the required financial support from developed todeveloping economies to ensure effective implementation of the diverse outcomes of the
Copenhagen conference (webelieve this could be at least USD 90-140 billion per year1formitigation technologies and adaptation);and adopt mechanisms to raise predictable andsustained finance, according to the principle of common but differentiated responsibility,for example a levy on bunker fuels or aviation, or a fund such as the Mexican Green Fundproposal;Make a commitment at the G8 meeting to immediate additional funding for urgentadaptation needs (of at least USD 2 billion);Begin an open and honest debate with the public about why this support is necessary,and why it is needed to ensure the future security and prosperity of our nations;Support the creation of a global carbon market through linking the European tradingscheme with emerging schemes in other parts of the worldDeclare that climate finance will be new and additional to existing Overseas DevelopmentAid commitments with equitable governance, ensuring that funding is project orprogramme based;Create policies and mechanisms that encourage immediate mitigation activities prior to2012;Commit to supporting the expansion of measures that have shown demonstrable successin the voluntary reduction of population growth, including education and economicempowerment of womenCommit to significantly increase renewable energy, energy saving, energy efficiency,including Combined Heat and Power and district heating and cooling, and supportgreater access to energy in developing countries;Plan no new fossil fuel power stations from 2013 without a commitment to fit carboncapture and storage technology, taking into account the experiences of thedemonstration projects; and significantly increasing resources for research, developmentand demonstration of this technology across a diverse geographic range, with the overallaim of a carbon neutral power sector by 2050;Recognise the importance of including forestry in the Copenhagen agreement as itprovides mitigation options, promotes resilience to climate change and conservesessential ecosystems and biodiversity.
In return we urge leaders of developing countries to:Outline their plans for nationally appropriate actions in accordance with the Bali ActionPlan with financial, technological and capacity building support from developedcountries, with a view to reducing the carbon intensity of GDP;Declare what additional measures could be taken with the necessary finance fromindustrialised countries and develop strategies for the implementation of projects andprogrammes according to goals negotiated with the countries providing funds.
This statement is from the GLOBE International forum that met in Rome on 12-13 June and wasinformed by input from the International Commissions on Climate and Energy Security, launchedin Washington DC in March 2009, and on Land Use Change and Ecosystems, launched in Mexicoin November 2008 and the Club of Rome.1Project Catalyst, June 2009
Further Information:Mr Terry TownshendDirector of Policy DevelopmentGLOBE International+45 33 91 15 05Mob +44 (0) 7900 912808[email protected]www.globeinternational.org