Climate minister remains committed to success at COP15
Climate Minister Connie Hedegaard optimistic but warns 'half an agreement is no agreement.'Climate, energy and environment ministers gathered for a meeting to agree on the way forward at COP15
With COP15 less than three weeks away ministers from more than 40 countries gathered in Copenhagen for a preliminary meeting to explore key issues.
Issues discussed included ambitious emission cuts for industrialised countries and the means to finance immediate action in the developing world, including help in adapting to climate change.
Climate Minister Connie Hedegaard was optimistic about the outcome of the meeting, during which she praised the recent pledges by Brazil and Korea to slash emissions.
‘At the Pre-COP there has been a very encouraging spirit. I have heard from everyone around the table today that Copenhagen must be a success,’ she said, but warned that ‘half an agreement is no agreement’.
Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) Yvo De Boer said he was similarly encouraged by the meeting.
‘This gathering of ministers has signalled a strong desire to succeed, to make Copenhagen a real turning point. Almost every day now we see new commitments and pledges from both industrialised and developing nations. The political leadership that so many leaders promised at the UN climate summit in September is alive and well … and it will lead us to success in Copenhagen.’
The meeting took place a day after US president Barack Obama and Chinese premier Hu Jintao breathed new life into hopes for a successful climate agreement by stating they will aim to set comprehensive targets for reducing emissions.
Jason Heppenstall
