7 February 2010
Quote of the Day
Copenhagen was a breakdown, not pre-structured or undertaken in good faith."
Prof Jeffrey D Sachs
Quote of the Day
Empty promises of aid to poor countries that are not honoured have zero value."
Prof Jeffrey D Sachs
Quote of the Day
In our common efforts, we cannot start from zero."
HE Mr J R E Quesada
Quote of the Day
The role of civil society is to put the Junoon (passion) back into the battle against climate change."
Mr Carl Pope
Quote of the Day
The impacts of climate change have begun, and we have lost years and years of precious time due to irresponsible leaders."
Mr Bittu Sahgal
Quote of the Day
We, in the US, have no business to build coal-based power plants today."
Ms Anjali Jaiswal
Quote of the Day
We cannot continue with business as usual. We have a responsibility beyond our own timeline."
Prof Walter Erdelen
Quote of the Day
There is no need for despair - the message has gone to civil society on the need for action."
Mr Suman K Bery
Quote of the Day
We need books like 'Eco-footprint for Dummies' to teach us how to reduce our personal ecological footprints in our daily lives."
Mr Rick Mayo-Smith
Quote of the Day
We must practice what we preach."
Dr Ursula Schaefer-Preuss
Quote of the Day
We have to share the burden, otherwise we will share the consequences."
Mr John Kerry
Quote of the Day
We have not created the world, but we received it."
Rt Hon John Gummer
Quote of the Day
We are not taking about future but reality. We are already suffering, losing territory everyday and that our survival is threatened."
HE Ms M P E Lloyd
Quote of the Day
Copenhagen Accord was valuable but we must assist the multilateral process."
Mr Shyam Saran

Ministerial Session III - Building on the Copenhagen Accord

The session was moderated by Dasho Paljor J Dorji, Advisor, National Environment Commission, Government of Bhutan. In his opening remarks, he said that the issue of getting an agreement and building on the Copenhagen Accord was important.

This was followed by a keynote address (video) by Mr John Kerry, the US Senator from Massachusetts. He thought it was a very significant development that America came to Copenhagen, and expressed hope that eventually America will lead the world in the fight against climate change.

He urged that science is demanding action from all of us and that America is working on climate legislation on an urgent basis. However, American politicians will demand the engagement of large developing countries like China, India, and therefore a collective commitment is needed. Citing McKinsey findings, he highlighted the emission reduction potential in India with almost a cut of 50% to be achieved by 2030 only by using available technologies.

Speakers

He admitted UK’s legacy of industrial revolution. He highlighted that there is a need to fix liability for environmental costs, and create a new financial arrangement for this. On global collective action, he urged developed countries to set an example for other countries to follow. Drawing a parallel, he pointed out that Europe improved its own human rights records before asking countries like Myanmar to improve theirs. Besides governments, he said involvement of business community was the key for successful action. Sharing his confidence in science, he said that it is impossible to believe that climate change is not happening. Even if we are wrong, we clean up the world.
 
Speaking on behalf of Seychelles and the Alliance of Small Island States, she lamented than even large developing countries did not take into account their concerns. She strongly called for an agreement which ensured that - temperature rise is limited to 1.5 °C from the pre-industrial level; developed countries reduce their emissions levels by 45% below 1990 levels by 2020; and greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2015 and reduce thereafter. She called for a greater ambition to meet the challenges and a quick return to the table for ensuring a meaningful and transparent COP in Mexico.
 
He said that the unfinished agenda laid in Bali had been achieved in Copenhagen, and that a 2nd edition of Kyoto Protocol was needed based on the principle of ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibilities’. He expressed concern that the impacts of climate change are now visible - with 29 islands already sunk, water scarcity, erosion of biodiversity, new diseases, and so on. He called for an integrated approach to deal with climate change challenges along with developmental priorities. He said a way forward could involve - networking among diverse stakeholders at the grassroots level, and development of renewable and clean technology to raise value addition of natural resources.
Rt Hon. John Gummer MP for Suffolk Coastal, UK   HE Ms Marie Pierre Emilienne Lloyd Minister of Health and Social Development, Seychelles   Prof. Emil Salim Former Minister for Pollution and Environment, Indonesia

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