Bonn, Germany: Climate change experts from leading non-governmental organisations today unveiled their blueprint for a legally binding Copenhagen agreement. This will serve as the benchmark for governments negotiating a new climate deal this year and shows how major differences between rich and poor nations can be overcome. <\/p>\n
The 160-page \u201cCopenhagen Climate Treaty\u201d, which will be distributed to negotiators from 192 states, took some of the world\u2019s most experienced climate NGO\u2019s almost a year to write and contains a full legal text covering all the areas needed to provide the world with a fair and ambitious agreement that keeps climate change impacts below the unacceptable risk levels identified by most scientists. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first time in history that civil society groups have taken such a step. Together we have produced the most coherent legal document to date showing balanced and credible solutions based on equity and science\u201d said Kim Carstensen of WWF International. <\/p>\n
The document describes the path the world must be on to avoid catastrophic climate change, recognising that global temperature increase must be kept well below 2 degrees Celsius. It sets a global cap on emissions \u2013 a carbon budget \u2013 and explains in detail how both industrialised and developing countries can contribute to the safety of the planet and its people, according to their means and responsibilities and shows how the poorest and most vulnerable on the planet can be protected and compensated. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have put protection of the climate and therefore the planet and its people at the heart of this Treaty and we should expect and demand no less of our governments\u201d said Martin Kaiser of Greenpeace International. \u201cAll that is needed now is political will and the \u2018cut and paste\u2019 feature to produce the agreement the world is waiting for\u201d he added. <\/p>\n
Adaptation is another key component of the Treaty outlining an Adaptation Action Framework which includes grants, insurance and compensation for the most vulnerable countries. <\/p>\n
\u201cHelp for the poor and vulnerable to deal with the climate impacts that are unavoidable is crucial. Without a strong, effective deal in Copenhagen we could also be looking at resource wars, disruption, refugees more and natural catastrophes in the very near future,\u201d said Wael Hmaidan, Executive Director of IndyACT.<\/p>\n
The Treaty calls for a legally binding agreement consisting of three parts; the Kyoto Protocol, with changes to strengthen industrialised country obligations; a new Copenhagen Protocol defining low carbon action plans for developing countries and how they will be financed; a set of decisions that lays the groundwork for the next three years. <\/p>\n
The “Copenhagen Climate Treaty”, was drafted by Greenpeace, WWF, IndyACT \u2013 the League of Independent Activists, Germanwatch, David Suzuki Foundation, National Ecological Centre of Ukraine and expert individuals from around the world. <\/p>\n