Press release - December 10, 2009
A Greenpeace motorcade has entered the heavily guarded EU summit grounds in Brussels to drive home the message that European leaders must boost their climate commitments to achieve success at the Copenhagen summit. Eleven activists travelling in a three-vehicle convoy drove up to the European Council VIP entrance amid official government delegations and stepped out onto the red carpet used by Europe’s presidents and prime ministers. The activists held banners reading: “EU: save Copenhagen” and attempted to hand over a blueprint for a strong global climate treaty.
A Greenpeace motorcade enters the heavily guarded EU summit grounds in Brussels to deliver the message that European leaders must boost their climate commitments to achieve success at the Copenhagen summit.
"The EU is letting its climate leadership slip, but we want to show European leaders that they can still regain the initiative. Politicians must stop stalling and step up their commitment to bring emission reduction targets in line with science," said Joris den Blanken, Greenpeace EU climate policy director. "The progress we have seen since Kyoto would not have been achieved without leadership from the EU. Europe should not now lose its determination to prevent catastrophic climate change."
Greenpeace calls on Europe's leaders to use the EU summit as an opportunity to increase their commitment for a unilateral cut in greenhouse gases from 20% to 30% (based on 1990 levels). This commitment from the EU would pave the way for an agreement in Copenhagen that would push industrialised countries to a scientifically sound 40% target.
While the EU is reluctant to move, rich countries such as Japan and Norway have made commitments for 25% and 40% emission cuts. Developing countries such as China, Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa have also announced ambitious climate action.
"An increase in Europe's ambition would inject momentum into the climate talks and could trigger real change in the US position. After weeks of downplaying there is now movement in the negotiations. A step forward by the EU might well tip the balance and lead to a legally binding deal in time for Christmas," said den Blanken.
VVPR info:
For more information on what the EU can do, go to:
‘Cheating the Atmosphere: why the EU can do more for the climate’:
www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/press-centre/policy-papers-briefings/cheating-the-atmosphere-16-11-09
To read the blueprint for a strong climate deal, created jointly by six NGOs including Greenpeace, go to:
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/reports/ngo-copenhagen-treaty