Press release - November 30, 2009
The International Executive Director of Greenpeace International Kumi Naodoo has written personally to Prime Minister John Key, urging him to attend the UN climate talks in Copenhagen. (1)
In the letter, Kumi Naidoo (2) said: "There is still enough time
to reach a fair, ambitious and binding deal in Copenhagen, but what
is lacking is political will. We are appealing to you to do your
utmost to create an environment of cooperation and mutual trust
that will enable the breakthrough the world is waiting for.
"We appeal to you to come to Copenhagen with a reduction target
that is based on IPCC….please increase New Zealand's target to 40%
below 1990 levels. This would enable New Zealand to show
environmental leadership and protect its clean green
reputation."
The number of people who've joined Greenpeace New Zealand's Sign
On campaign in support of 40% by 2020 now stands at 175,000; about
4% of the population and roughly the same as 12 million people in
the US, or 2.4 million people in the UK.
The letter from Mr Naidoo follows confirmation from over 85
world leaders, including those from the US, UK, Australia, China,
Canada and Brazil, that they're attending the summit.
"John Key is looking increasingly isolated over Copenhagen,"
said Greenpeace Climate Campaigner Simon Boxer. "His stance defies
any logic. If he fails to show, his decision will go down in
history as one of the fundamental mistakes of a New Zealand
leader."
Kumi Naidoo: "The time for political declarations or politically
binding handshakes is over. Copenhagen provides a unique
opportunity for real change. Together you and other world leaders
can make history in Copenhagen by agreeing to a fair, ambitious and
binding agreement."
The Sign On campaign will culminate in a range of events around
the country on Saturday, including a march up Queen Street, and
free concert in Auckland. See www.signon.org.nz/planet-a
ENDS
Notes: (1) For the full text of Kumi Naidoo’s email, go to: http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/press/reports/kumi-naidoo-letter
(2) Kumi Naidoo took on the Executive Director role last month. A life-long human rights activist, Naidoo was active in the anti-apartheid movement in his native South Africa. He is a Rhodes Scholar. He sits on the board of Greenpeace Africa, and chairs the Global Campaign for Climate Action.