Press release - 18 December, 2009
World leaders are meeting on this morning to hammer out a declaration in the dying hours of the Copenhagen climate conference. On the table at the moment is a figure on the need for long-term funding for climate action in developing countries, but no clarity on who will provide the money and where it would come from. Leaders have also apparently agreed on short-term (fast-track) finance for the developing world. But heads of state and government have so far failed to agree on the crucial issues of emission reduction targets and how to verify these cuts.
Greenpeace International head of climate policy Martin Kaiser said:"Failure is staring us in the face in Copenhagen. Further emptypromises from world leaders could make negotiations spiral towards amajor fiasco. As world leaders get together this morning, it is obvious that the job is far from done, the climate is far from being saved. Negotiators have only repeated good intentions, but are not givingthemselves the tools to keep their promises."
"Commitments by developing nations to cut their growth in emissions have so far been stone-walled by the industrial world. The leaders of the world's rich countries may have promised cash for developing countries, but the truth is they will not let the developing world look inside the piggy bank. They are showing us the money, but not telling us where it comes from."
"With only low emission pledges and uncertainty over the legal form of a future agreement, Copenhagen would set the world on course for a 3C or more increase in temperature which threatens the very existenceof our civilisation. World leaders only have a few hours to turn this around and get the job done before it is too late."
Only more ambitious commitments on the following points can save the Copenhagen agreement today:
- Deeper cuts in emissions within the ranges guided by climate science.
- Clarification of the sources of funding for developing countries. Indication of the share of public and innovative funding for climate action in developing countries.
- Leaders must agree on a strict mandate and timeline to bring negotiations forward which must be enshrined in a COP decision. The outcome of this mandate must be a legally binding treaty under the Kyoto and Convention tracks.
VVPR info: Cindy Baxter, Greenpeace International communications, INSIDE THE COPENHAGEN CONFERENCE CENTRE: +45 526 556 22, +31 646 197 332, 
Martin Kaiser, Greenpeace International head of climate policy: +45 52 65 55 80 or +49 171 878 0817 Mike Crocker, Greenpeace USA +1 202 215 8989 Ailun Yang, Greenpeace China: +45 50 11 06 41 Mark Breddy, Greenpeace communications, +45 526 556 72, +32 496 156 229, 
Exp. contact date: 2010-02-01 00:00:00