G8 Summit Will Test Leadership of World’s Richest Nations: WWF

Press Release by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) International – July 7, 2009:

Gland, Switzerland – Leaders of the world’s wealthiest
industrialized countries gathering in L’Aquila must commit to keep
global average temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius in order
to prevent climate change from threatening the future of our planet,
WWF says ahead of the G8 summit.

The meeting taking place in L’Aquila from July 8-10 will be a major
test of leadership and commitment, and will show whether the wealthy
world is willing to take responsibility for a common fight against
rising temperatures and devastating climate change.

“It is very simple. A clear commitment to a 2 degree Celsius danger
threshold on paper is an absolute must for G8 countries,” said Kim
Carstensen, the leader of WWF’s Global Climate Initiative.

“The countries gathering in L’Aquila have the biggest responsibility to
show leadership on climate. Without their action we cannot expect the
rest of the world to move.”

G8 leaders must agree to set ambitious mid-term targets for emissions
reductions for 2020, and must show the world that they are committed to
go all the way. They are discussing a long term goal of reducing their
own emissions by 80 per cent in 2050. According to WWF, 80 per cent is
at the low end of what is needed. WWF is asking for -95% by 2050, and
-40 % by 2020 compared 1990 for the group of industrialized countries.
The US should take on a comparable target, in nature, legal form and
effort.

“We are looking for a clear declaration from G8 leaders to reduce their
own emissions by at least 80 per cent or more below 1990 levels by
2050. This is an absolute minimum and anything weaker will be a
complete failure.”

“A firm statement by the G8 will send a powerful signal to the
developing world and make it easier for the poorer countries to slash
their emissions,” Carstensen said.

It is urgent that long-term goals are clear in terms of their base year
being 1990, to ensure comparability of effort between countries,
recognition of early action and specificity with regards to the
emission pathway required to stay well below 2 degrees C.

The Major Economies Forum or MEF, a meeting of 17 Major Economies which
account for roughly 80 percent of the world’s emissions, will take
place on the sidelines of the G8.

MEF should move the debate forward on technology by mobilizing
resources for Technology Action Programs, which should focus on
technologies of interest to developing countries, such as concentrated
solar power, smart electricity grids, energy efficient buildings,
systems for monitoring deforestation, and early-warning weather
stations.

“We need MEF to show clear leadership on technology cooperation, and to
make sure that more funding is committed to technology research and
development. A doubling of public research funding by 2012 is
immediately needed,” Kim Carstensen said.

“The meeting in Italy is the best opportunity there is and will be to
show true leadership. There is no better moment to finally do
something.”

See WWF’s full press release at:

http://www.panda.org/wwf_news/?169584/G8-summit-will-test-leadership-of-worlds-richest-nations—WWF