Africa walks out of climate talks in Barcelona! Demands action from developed countries.

image from africafiles.org

From wwf.ca via the wwf canada facebook page

Africa is right to demand action on climate from developed countries: WWF-Canada
Today at the Barcelona climate negotiations, African countries insisted on clarity of the aggregate emissions reductions of the industrialized nations, and blocked some meetings of subgroups to underline the importance of this point.

Today at the Barcelona climate negotiations, African countries insisted on clarity of the aggregate emissions reductions of the industrialized nations, and blocked some meetings of subgroups to underline the importance of this point.

“Africa is on the front line of any political failure of the climate change talks. These countries will suffer disastrous consequences and we should not be surprised that they are asking the developed world to commit to serious emissions reductions,” said Kim Carstensen, Leader of WWF's Global Climate Initiative. "We need Canada, Russia and the US to deliver their reduction numbers and unlock the negotiations.”

"This is an entirely foreseeable consequence of Canada going into UN climate negotiations without the domestic policy package promised earlier this year," said Keith Stewart, the Director of WWF-Canada's Climate Change Program. "Canada is in the top ten of global climate polluters any way you look at the numbers. Now is the time to be part of the solution by investing in the clean-energy economy."

Most Annex 1 countries – with the US and Russia as the main exceptions – have announced their emissions reduction targets, but they don’t add up to the level of at least 40% below 1990 levels that is needed to give Africa some certainty against the worst consequences of climate change. Canada's target of 3% below 1990 levels by 2020 has been widely criticized as inconsistent with what climate scientists say is necessary to avoid dangerous climate change.

"We understand and share Africa’s frustration and we will continue supporting its efforts for a strong and legally binding deal," said Carstensen. “We know the science, we have enough text and documents to fill a bookshop. All we do not have is political will.

"Africa cannot afford for industrialized countries to fail the numbers test,” he added.

For more information:
Keith Stewart, Climate Change Program Director
WWF-Canada
Tel. 416-489-4567 xt. 7257
Cell: 416-985-5936
E-mail: kstewart@wwfcanada.org