Copenhagen countdown, failure is not an option
17 December 2009, Copenhagen, Denmark
Why is it that national governments are struggling to commit, whereas local governments have long been committed? If the international community had followed the lead of local governments in seeking and implementing ambitious climate solutions, we would be well on our way to solving the challenge of climate change. Instead we find ourselves in Copenhagen on the brink of letting people down from every corner of the planet.
75 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions are from urban areas – and half of the World population lives in cities.
It has been not only days, but years, that we have asked nations to join us in a common effort. Since the Rio Convention of 1992 we have stood by national governments with the unending hope and deep belief that national governments consistently and sincerely find a basis for agreement to effectively address climate change. Cities trusted nations. However, in the last 17 years we have seen little progress.
As elected local leaders, we know the power and potential of bold commitments and visionary collaboration. Both of those are required here in Copenhagen, yet so far they have been trumped.
It is our demand that world leaders and Heads of State commit to a strong agreement here in Copenhagen. We ask you, nations, to commit to reduce emissions quickly and dramatically in accordance to science. We ask nations to avoid the thresholds of dangerous climate disruption. Your agreement must open up clean pathways out of poverty in developing nations. Nations must launch a clean energy revolution that transforms and revitalizes our economies.
The agreement must be operational and set a clear deadline to decide upon legally binding language within six months. The agreement must deliver solutions as big as the problem.
Do not underestimate our voice as local elected leaders, our willingness and power to act and our ability to mobilize. We are government leaders representing billions of people in our communities who have long demanded action.
Cities act. More than 3200 city targets to mitigate climate change are right now on the table through the Copenhagen Climate Catalogue.
We gathered here this week in Copenhagen for the Mayors Summit on Climate Change. More than 1200 local representatives, including mayors and local leaders from 250 cities, made their presence felt in Copenhagen.
Our common strong message to you as national governments is: See us as partners - engage us, empower us and resource us in our common fight against climate change. Include us in your agreement here in Copenhagen.
Seal a strong, comprehensive and global agreement – and let us all start working tomorrow, and together, on the real job that lies ahead.
Gino Van Begin
Deputy Secretary General
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability