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Copenhagen must be the beginning for greener future in Britain

Date: December 28^th 2009 Author: Jasmina Nikoloska, Maidenhead Category: Articles
Topic: CO2 emissions , Ecology

The government of the United Kingdom went to Copenhagen with optimism and a hope that first global alliance of 192 countries would create the possibility for preservation of the planet for future generations.

But, the government's aspiration in reaching its goals was not successful. A long-term goal of a global temperature increase by 2050 of no more than 2°C, an emissions cut of at least 80 per cent by 2050, ambitious cuts for all developed nations to the highest possible level by 2020, immediate financing for developing countries and a stop to deforestation seemed to be too much commitment for some countries.

PHOTO: Jovana Bila

Ensuring the continuation of the planet is a big responsibility and the developed world must stand behind its promises of emissions cuts, all while developing counties should not encourage the building of dirty technology and deforestation.

Unfortunately, the big expectations did not amount to a legally binding agreement.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was disappointed with the negotiations and the progress of the summit. During his four days spent in Copenhagen, he had wanted to secure a deal, despite, as he said: "The talks in Copenhagen were not easy. And, as they reached conclusion, I did fear the process would collapse and we would have no deal at all."

He supported Ed Miliband, the UK Secretary of Energy and Climate Change, in criticising China for preventing an agreement, against the requirements of the majority negotiation countries.

Still, in an interview on 21 December 2009 with Channel 4 News, Miliband said that China must be reassured that it had nothing to fear from the legally binding treaty.

George Monbiot, an environmental campaigner who regularly writes for The Guardian, did not share the same opinion, stating in the Channel 4 interview that it was "preposterous for Ed and for Gordon Brown to blame only China for the talks' collapse – in fact the role of the United States was just as destructive".

According to Monbiot, there was an "impasse" between the US government and China that kept the discussions from progressing positively.

 

On the Prime Minister’s podcast following the Copenhagen climate change summit, Brown expressed his optimism and fate in greener future for Britain. He stated his belief that in the following months, dedication to reforming international institutions must take place to meet up to environmental challenges.

PHOTO: Jovana Bila

Brown also shared that used the summit to learn a lesson: “Never again should we face the deadlock that threatened to pull down those talks. Never again should we let a global deal to move towards a greener future be held ransom by only a handful of countries.”

However, the Prime Minister described Copenhagen as "vital first step" for securing long-term prosperity and transformation to low-carbon technology and development.

Rich countries committed themselves to finance developing countries to reduce emissions and to adapt their energy development by providing long-lasting financing by 2020 of $100 billion a year. The agreement included a recognition to maximise temperature increase to less than 2°C, but did not consider how, without a legally binding deal.

There is still a long way to go to complete the agreement and ensure a treaty.

As Energy and Climate Change Secretary Miliband said on the road from Copenhagen to The Guardian: “In the months ahead, these concrete achievements must be secured and extended. We must work to ensure that developed nations in particular, such as Australia, Japan and the EU nations, deliver on the highest possible emissions cuts. And as the US senate considers its legislation, it is important it delivers not just the 17 per cent reductions offered so far but the deepest possible.

“The challenge for all of us is not to lose heart and momentum.”

It is certain that this historic summit will remain one of the most important gatherings of world leaders in an attempt deliver a common solution in determining the fate of our children and future generations, particularly in the forthcoming century. Hopefully, understanding will be reached, because climate change is a global emergency and cannot be solved by one or two countries: The world must act together.

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