The Outcome Of The UN Climate Talks In Copenhagen - A WWF Point Of View

Dear WWF supporter,

On behalf of WWF-Australia and its supporters, I attended the UN climate talks in Copenhagen.

The talks started off with plenty of optimism. WWF had a great international team on the ground with a deep understanding of the issues. We analysed proposals quickly, lobbied for greater ambition and provided support to countries that lacked resources.

But by the end of two weeks negotiations had been taken to the brink of total failure.

Late in the night, leaders agreed to a non-binding Accord that included a goal - first put forward by WWF - to limit global temperature rise to less than 2 degrees. The commitment to 2 degrees is a positive step and WWF will continue to engage in every step of negotiations to ensure world leaders sign-off on a stronger, legally binding plan by the end of 2010

But sadly, the fundamental objectives of the Copenhagen climate talks, for a fair, ambitious and legally binding deal needed to safeguard this planet, were not achieved.

In reality the targets put forward by world leaders add up to at least 3 degrees of warming, not 2. For 1/3rd of the world’s animals, 3 degrees will mean extinction.

While Australia was the first to sign the Copenhagen Accord, our credibility and the success of the deal will hinge on Australia:

• implementing a national pollution law which commits us to a minimum 25% pollution reduction by 2020
• providing long-term finance to assist developing countries reduce their pollution and adapt to climate change

Alarmingly, the Coalition has pulled their support from the Government’s pollution law, the CPRS. WWF are engaging with all political parties to pass the law without further delay.

WWF will continue to work towards the target of a global temperature rise of less than 2 degrees. We will continue to ask you, our supporters, to lend your voice, take action and provide financial support to help us secure action to fight climate change. We are close to meaningful global action and we aren’t going to give up now.

Many thanks,

Greg Bourne