Greenpeace activists protest at the start of the UN Climate talks in Vienna, Austria. Greenpeace is calling to keep global average temperature rise as far below 2ºC as possible, and for governments to honour their 15 year old commitments to avoid dangerous climate change, Greenpeace is calling for cuts of carbon emissions:at least -50% globally by 2050, with a 1990 base year;at least -30% by developed countries by 2020, with a 1990 base year; at least -80% for developed countries by 2050, with a 1990 base year.
Around 1,000 representatives from governments, industry,
environmental groups and research institutions, will attend the
Vienna meeting. The conference will see industrialised countries
start to negotiate the next round of their Kyoto commitments.
Discussions on broadening the UN Climate Convention will also take
place. The meeting is a precursor to major talks in Bali, Indonesia
this December, where governments are expected to agree a framework
for the next two years of negotiations on greenhouse gas
emissions.
"What happens today in Vienna will set the stage for the Bali
negotiations. Greenpeace demands clear progress towards
strengthening the Kyoto Protocol for its second phase, which begins
in 2013", said Greenpeace Climate Campaigner Stephanie Tunmore
"These small meetings often fly under the radar, but 2007 is such a
crucial year for climate negotiations that everyone must take
notice.
"The Bali meeting will determine whether the world is on the
right path to protect people and the planet from the greatest
threat humanity has ever faced - climate change. Without real
action to reduce emissions and keep global mean temperature rise
well below 2°C, compared to pre-industrial levels, billions of
people across the world will suffer more extreme weather, water
crises, and increased hunger and millions will become climate
refugees".
To keep global average temperature rise as far below 2ºC as
possible and for governments to honour their 15 year old
commitments to avoid dangerous climate change, Greenpeace is
calling for cuts of:
At least -50% globally by 2050, with a 1990 base year
At least -30% by developed countries by 2020, with a 1990 base
year
At least -80% for developed countries by 2050, with a 1990 base
year
"Despite increasingly alarming reports about the rate and extent
of climate change, we have seen very little real movement by
governments to take the necessary steps to mitigate it. In Vienna
we need to see action that matches the urgency of the climate
crisis and sets us firmly on the road to a strong agreement on
climate protection in Bali," added Tunmore.
Other contacts: Stephanie Tunmore - Greenpeace International Climate Campaigner +44 7796 947 451 Daniel Mittler - Greenpeace International Climate Policy Expert +49 171 876 5345
VVPR info: For images please contact the Greenpeace International picture desk +31 20 718 2058
Notes: The Kyoto Protocol commits 38 industrialised countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below levels specified for each of them in the treaty. The individual targets add up to a total cut in greenhouse-gas emissions of at least 5% from 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008-2012. The Kyoto Protocol has been ratified by 175 Parties. It entered into force on February 16th 2005. More information: http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php
Exp. contact date: 2007-09-02 00:00:00