Churches urge rich nations to act for poor over climate change
-13/12/05
As the dust se
Churches urge rich nations to act for poor over climate change
-13/12/05
As the dust settles on the agreements on climate change between the Kyoto Protocol signatories to extend of the treaty on emissions reductions beyond its 2012 deadline, and a broader group of countries with regard to non-binding talks on long-term measures, churches and church groups have welcomed the progress that has been made.
However they also warn that richer nations will have to take some brave and tough decisions.
The Montreal conference to address climate change and its impacts on developing countries concluded at the weekend, with negotiators from around 180 countries reaching significant agreements on future action.
The talks in Montreal were called to open discussion on a long term strategy to safeguard climatic stability. The Kyoto Protocol only limits the greenhouse gas emissions of 36 rich countries by about five per cent. These commitments expire in 2012, by which time, campaigners say, the world must be on course for far deeper cuts in order to avoid potentially catastrophic impacts.
The summit agreed to launch formal, though non-binding, talks on targets to be set from 2012, as well as a further round of targets for nations already in the Kyoto protocol.
The worldís richest nation, the US, however still said a categorical ënoí to any targets.
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After walking out of the Montreal talks at one stage, US negotiators finally agreed to take part in future non-binding discussions, under the terms of the Convention, to reduce emissions. They only moved towards dialogue after a stinging attack on its ìflat wrongî position by ex-president Bill Clinton and remorseless pressure from environmental and political lobbyists.
Operation Noah, a climate change campaign involving many churches, welcomed the new agreements, and challenged the UK Government to declare the hand it will play.
Revd Dr David Pickering, Moderator of Operation Noah, said, “At Montreal the world reached a long-awaited global coming of age. Time is running out to ‘cut the carbon’ and turn the conferenceís hopes into reality. We in the West have to accept the lionís share of cuts, including in our homes and churches.”
The UK, as EU president, played a considerable part in the outcome of Montreal. Dr Pickering challenged the government to declare what position it will be taking in future negotiations.
“Operation Noah supporters want them to get global emissions cut to a safe level in a way that is fair for all the worldís people. We will be among the first to cry foul if rich countries attempt ‘climate piracy’ against the poor.”
A small Tearfund team was also lobbying for faster progress in reducing the emissions of climate changing ‘green house’ gases, and in helping developing countries adapt to a now-inevitable degree of climate change.
Andy Atkins, Tearfund’s Advocacy Director, said “The Montreal agreement opens the gate to more effective action to address climate change, when there was a high risk that the gate would jam shut! We are relieved. But there is still a long way to go to bring climate change under control. Developing countries are already being hit hard. There is no time to lose to help them adapt and cut our pollution. This will mean changes in all our lifestyles.”
The conference also agreed important outstanding details on how the Protocol should be implemented in the current ‘commitment phase’ up to 2012, including the operation of the Clean Development Mechanism. This, campaigners say, will encourage rich country investment in non-polluting energy sources and industry for developing countries.
The conference has also agreed a five year programme of work to help developing countries adapt to the effects of climate change and to integrate this work with ongoing development programmes. Although the sums of money so far committed are less than required, agreement on the details of the work programme and funding mechanisms is an important recognition that poor countries will be hardest hit by climate change and will require the most assistance to adjust.
This has been a major theme of Tearfund’s advocacy on climate change.
[Also on Ekklesia: US says ‘no’ in Montreal as churches warn Blair on climate; UN conference told climate change is a ‘spiritual crisis’; Christians to join climate protests; UK Christian agencies act to stop climate chaos; Global warming threatens targets for world’s poor; Methodist church signs climate covenant; Campaigners welcome moves toward greener church; Churches explore contribution to a sustainable Europe; Christians encouraged by Chancellor’s trip to US]
Churches urge rich nations to act for poor over climate change
-13/12/05
As the dust settles on the agreements on climate change between the Kyoto Protocol signatories to extend of the treaty on emissions reductions beyond its 2012 deadline, and a broader group of countries with regard to non-binding talks on long-term measures, churches and church groups have welcomed the progress that has been made.
However they also warn that richer nations will have to take some brave and tough decisions.
The Montreal conference to address climate change and its impacts on developing countries concluded at the weekend, with negotiators from around 180 countries reaching significant agreements on future action.
The talks in Montreal were called to open discussion on a long term strategy to safeguard climatic stability. The Kyoto Protocol only limits the greenhouse gas emissions of 36 rich countries by about five per cent. These commitments expire in 2012, by which time, campaigners say, the world must be on course for far deeper cuts in order to avoid potentially catastrophic impacts.
The summit agreed to launch formal, though non-binding, talks on targets to be set from 2012, as well as a further round of targets for nations already in the Kyoto protocol.
The world’s richest nation, the US, however still said a categorical ëno’ to any targets.
Related Articles
After walking out of the Montreal talks at one stage, US negotiators finally agreed to take part in future non-binding discussions, under the terms of the Convention, to reduce emissions. They only moved towards dialogue after a stinging attack on its ‘flat wrong’ position by ex-president Bill Clinton and remorseless pressure from environmental and political lobbyists.
Operation Noah, a climate change campaign involving many churches, welcomed the new agreements, and challenged the UK Government to declare the hand it will play.
Revd Dr David Pickering, Moderator of Operation Noah, said, “At Montreal the world reached a long-awaited global coming of age. Time is running out to ‘cut the carbon’ and turn the conference’s hopes into reality. We in the West have to accept the lion’s share of cuts, including in our homes and churches.”
The UK, as EU president, played a considerable part in the outcome of Montreal. Dr Pickering challenged the government to declare what position it will be taking in future negotiations.
“Operation Noah supporters want them to get global emissions cut to a safe level in a way that is fair for all the world’s people. We will be among the first to cry foul if rich countries attempt ‘climate piracy’ against the poor.”
A small Tearfund team was also lobbying for faster progress in reducing the emissions of climate changing ‘green house’ gases, and in helping developing countries adapt to a now-inevitable degree of climate change.
Andy Atkins, Tearfund’s Advocacy Director, said “The Montreal agreement opens the gate to more effective action to address climate change, when there was a high risk that the gate would jam shut! We are relieved. But there is still a long way to go to bring climate change under control. Developing countries are already being hit hard. There is no time to lose to help them adapt and cut our pollution. This will mean changes in all our lifestyles.”
The conference also agreed important outstanding details on how the Protocol should be implemented in the current ‘commitment phase’ up to 2012, including the operation of the Clean Development Mechanism. This, campaigners say, will encourage rich country investment in non-polluting energy sources and industry for developing countries.
The conference has also agreed a five year programme of work to help developing countries adapt to the effects of climate change and to integrate this work with ongoing development programmes. Although the sums of money so far committed are less than required, agreement on the details of the work programme and funding mechanisms is an important recognition that poor countries will be hardest hit by climate change and will require the most assistance to adjust.
This has been a major theme of Tearfund’s advocacy on climate change.
[Also on Ekklesia: US says ‘no’ in Montreal as churches warn Blair on climate; UN conference told climate change is a ‘spiritual crisis’; Christians to join climate protests; UK Christian agencies act to stop climate chaos; Global warming threatens targets for world’s poor; Methodist church signs climate covenant; Campaigners welcome moves toward greener church; Churches explore contribution to a sustainable Europe; Christians encouraged by Chancellor’s trip to US]