| July 9, 2009 |  |
G8 Makes Climate Progress, But Falls Short of What's Needed
Statement by Alden Meyer, Strategy and Policy Director, Union of Concerned Scientists
L'AQUILA, ITALY (July 9, 2009) — World leaders agreed yesterday to limit global temperatures and acheive long-term emissions reduction targets, but failed to agree to short-term emissions reduction targets. Below is a statement by Alden Meyer, Director of Strategy and Policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
"The statement issued today on climate change by the G8 countries includes two important new elements, but will do little to break the deadlock between developed and developing countries on key issues in the run-up to the Copenhagen climate summit in December.
"The fact that President Obama and leaders from Canada, Japan, and Russia have joined the European Union in recognizing the necessity of holding global temperature increases below 2 degrees C over pre-industrial levels is quite welcome, as is their collective commitment to cut their own emissions 80 percent by 2050. These are both important benchmarks in avoiding the worst impacts of climate change.
"But the failure to make any progress towards resolving the deep split among the G8 countries on the emissions cuts needed by 2020 is troubling. There was also no movement by the G8 countries towards concrete commitments of financial and technology assistance needed by developing countries to cut their emissions and adapt to the mounting impacts of climate change. When it comes to fulfilling the promises made in Bali a year and a half ago, the G8 countries are missing in action. This lack of progress on 2020 targets and on financing led China, India, and other developing countries to refuse to agree to the goal of reducing global emissions 50 percent by 2050 in the Major Economies Forum declaration (to be issued tomorrow).
In short, the G8 summit represents a tremendous missed opportunity. With just five months to go, the heat is on the G8 leaders to inject political momentum into the climate negotiations. The limited progress made here in L'Aquila is nowhere near what's needed to get an ambitious and equitable climate deal in Copenhagen."
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
