| 18/11/2005
- Background: More than 10,000 delegates from government,
business, and civil society are gathering in Montreal for
the jointly held 11th Conference of the Parties of the UN
Framework Convention on Climate Change and the first Meeting
of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, known as COPMOP1 (Monday
28 November to Friday 9 December). Along with adopting all
of the necessary decisions to make the current Kyoto Protocol
operational, countries must respond to the growing threat
and commit to begin negotiations for the much deeper cuts
in emissions that are needed. Negotiations for the next
round of cuts must start now as the world is rapidly losing
its window of opportunity to keep the rise in temperatures
below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, a key tipping
point for the world’s ecosystems, communities and economies.
The danger of failing to act on climate change has never
been more sharply felt following on from a summer of severe
droughts, floods and intense hurricanes. People around the
world need to see that governments are serious about the
Protocol and developing its framework further, putting in
place decisions to begin negotiations on much deeper cuts
for the future. Key
Issues:
Governments in Montreal must start
negotiations to set commitments for lower greenhouse gas
emissions after 2012. The impacts of climate change are
hitting home and negotiations at this level take time.
As part of the Kyoto process negotiations must start now
and 2008 has to be set as the clear end date. Jennifer
Morgan, Director WWF’s Global Climate Change Programme:
“The Kyoto Protocol actually demands that negotiations
start now, not later. There has to be a formal decision
and commitment by countries to negotiate more action and
commitments for the future, in order for the Kyoto process
to continue. Only then will we stand any chance of keeping
average global temperature well below 2°C above pre-industrial
level, a crucial tipping point for the world’s people
and nature.”
Delegates in Montreal must see that
the emissions trading market is currently a business reality
but investors need more certainty about its future. Companies,
banks and business are already working with emissions
trading instruments, but current international legislation
only reaches 2012. This is too short a horizon for investment
decisions. Businesses calling for such certainty should
pressure governments to start negotiations on what happens
after 2012. Stephan Singer, Head of WWF’s European Climate
and Energy Policy Unit: “If we are to stand any chance
of convincing companies making the switch from dirty fossil
fuels to cleaner alternatives they need to know that their
CO2 emissions will be counted as a business cost after
2012. If there’s one thing businesses and markets hate
it’s not knowing what’s going to come in the future -
the current climate of uncertainty is doing nobody any
favours”.
Governments in Montreal must ensure
that all decisions are adopted to make Kyoto operational
and that funding is provided to help developing countries
manage the impacts that are already occurring. All the
decisions to make Kyoto work have already been negotiated
but must now be formally adopted by the Kyoto Parties
at this first meeting in Montreal. In addition, some States
pledged funding to help developing countries manage the
impacts that are already occurring and prepare for worse.
This funding must be confirmed and delivered in Montreal.
Jennifer Morgan, Director WWF’s Global Climate Change
Programme: “Governments must deliver on their promise
to assist those countries most vulnerable to climate change
in managing the impacts already occurring. Only if such
promises are kept will developed countries have any credibility
with key developing countries.”
Media Events/Activities:
• Canada 2°C Report– what happens in Canada in a world
with average temperature of 2°C (3.6°F) above
pre-industrial levels? Wednesday 30 Nov - for location
see daily info on CCTV and in programmes.
• Climate Change March through city, WWF participating
with spokesperson; the march ends in front of Complex
Guy Favreau - 13.00-14.00, Saturday 3 December.
• Press Trip to renewable energy projects in Montreal,
followed by lunch and briefing. Sunday 4 December, 09.30-14.00.
Contact Brian Thomson or Stephanie Jagou (details below).
• Carbon emission reduction is good for development –
side event presenting cost-effective clean energy options
for developing countries. For timing and location see
daily info on CCTV and in programmes.
• Other events/photo opps for the media, see invitations
in the press area and CAN morning briefings.
• Daily Climate Action Network (CAN) Press Briefing –
9.30, see CCTV announcements for location
• Opening Statement Monday 28 November.
• Closing Statement Thursday 8 or Friday 9 December.
• Daily Media Statement, planned for 16.30 every day from
Monday 5 December.
Materials for the Media
All related backgrounders, press work, reports and other
material (including and explanation of the 2°C scenario,
recent 2°C reports etc) can be found at http://www.panda.org/climate/.
TV Footage – A limited number
of Climate Change b-roll tapes and of Climate Witness
b-rolls are available from the media team in Montreal.
Otherwise please contact Tanya Peterson, T +41 22 364
9565, E tpetersen@wwfint.org.
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