Copenhagen Summit "An Abject Failure Not Worth Signing"
Sat., December 19, 2009. 15:31.
Green MSP Media Release
The US-led agreement achieved yesterday away from the all-country talks is entirely unacceptable, Greens today argued, and the party condemned Gordon Brown for endorsing a sham. The final agreement, merely noted by the full conference, contains no legally binding targets and will bring in no new money. As a result, it will be unable to deliver a low carbon global economy, and makes it far less likely that the planet will escape devastating temperature increases of 3°C or worse.
Patrick Harvie MSP, who attended the conference, said:
"This was a time when world leaders simply had to lead, and they have failed us just as they have failed generations to come. As Copenhagen went on, the commitments got watered down until there was nothing left, and the all-party talks got picked apart until a small cabal of the biggest polluters sat down to agree no action. Their empty pledges include no emission targets, no new money, and leave no realistic chance of averting climate chaos.
"Gordon Brown and Barack Obama told everyone how important a real deal would be, and then they failed to deliver. They should be ashamed of this disgraceful betrayal of the world's hopes, not spinning furiously and pretending they've delivered anything. The UK Government have long been two-faced on climate change, attempting to co-opt the NGOs while planning airport expansion and new coal plants. Now, in a desperate move to save face, the Prime Minister is left backing a deal that's not even a deal. He should have stood up for the vulnerable and walked out of this cynical carve-up. These talks have been an abject failure, not a deal worth signing."
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.