| November 6, 2009 |  |
Uncertainty on U.S. Position is Confounding Climate Talks
BARCELONA, Spain (November 6, 2009) — The final week of talks before the Copenhagen climate summit wrapped up today in Barcelona, Spain. While participants made some progress on the negotiating text, they still have not agreed on such key issues as developed countries' emissions reductions, U.S. commitments, or financing to help developing countries adapt to climate change and reduce their own emissions.
Below is a statement by Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
"Just one month before the Copenhagen climate summit, the talks in Barcelona saw drama, but not enough progress. World leaders must now make a personal commitment to conclude a comprehensive agreement in Copenhagen that is fair, ambitious and binding. Leaders must reject the idea that all that can be achieved in Copenhagen is a political statement combined with a mandate for another round of negotiations.
"Climate science sends a clear and urgent message that all nations must take strong action without further delay. Two years of negotiations on the Bali Action Plan must produce a real breakthrough in Copenhagen. We have no more time to waste.
"Uncertainty about what the United States can bring to the Copenhagen summit hangs over these negotiations, though the approval of a domestic climate bill by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee earlier this week was noted—and welcomed—by many negotiators here in Barcelona. President Obama needs to come to Copenhagen next month with much more clarity on what the United States is willing to commit to, both on emissions reduction targets and on funding to help developing countries deploy clean technologies, reduce deforestation, and adapt to the impacts of global warming.
"President Obama must work with Senate leaders to further advance domestic climate and energy legislation over the next month, so that in Copenhagen, the world is confident that Congress will join with the president in addressing the climate change problem. We are pleased that Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman have said they will use the Environment and Public Works Committee bill as a framework as they build support for Senate action.
"The Obama administration also should change its stance on the legal form of a Copenhagen agreement by supporting the development of a common, binding international climate treaty framework. This framework should contain consistent emissions accounting standards, include provisions to encourage countries to comply with the commitments they make, and provide a global price signal to the carbon markets.
"At the United Nations climate summit in September, President Obama correctly noted that 'our generation's response to this challenge will be judged by history.' The Copenhagen climate summit can still meet this test, if President Obama and other world leaders provide real leadership. The people of the world deserve—and are expecting—nothing less."
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.
