Move Kyoto Forward in Montreal, urges WWF

Along with adopting all of the necessary decisions to make the current Kyoto Protocol operational, countries must respond to the growing threat and commit to begin negotiations for the much deeper cuts in emissions that are needed. Negotiations for the next round of cuts must start now as the world is rapidly losing its window of opportunity to keep the rise in temperatures below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, a key tipping point for the world’s ecosystems, communities and economies. The danger of failing to act on climate change has never been more sharply felt following on from a summer of severe droughts, floods and intense hurricanes. People around the world need to see that governments are serious about the Protocol and developing its framework further, putting in place decisions to begin negotiations on much deeper cuts for the future.

Key Issues:

Governments in Montreal must start negotiations to set commitments for lower greenhouse gas emissions after 2012. The impacts of climate change are hitting home and negotiations at this level take time. As part of the Kyoto process negotiations must start now and 2008 has to be set as the clear end date. Jennifer Morgan, Director WWF’s Global Climate Change Programme: “The Kyoto Protocol actually demands that negotiations start now, not later. There has to be a formal decision and commitment by countries to negotiate more action and commitments for the future, in order for the Kyoto process to continue. Only then will we stand any chance of keeping average global temperature well below 2°C above pre-industrial level, a crucial tipping point for the world’s people and nature.”

Delegates in Montreal must see that the emissions trading market is currently a business reality but investors need more certainty about its future. Companies, banks and business are already working with emissions trading instruments, but current international legislation only reaches 2012. This is too short a horizon for investment decisions. Businesses calling for such certainty should pressure governments to start negotiations on what happens after 2012. Stephan Singer, Head of WWF’s European Climate and Energy Policy Unit: “If we are to stand any chance of convincing companies making the switch from dirty fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives they need to know that their CO2 emissions will be counted as a business cost after 2012. If there’s one thing businesses and markets hate it’s not knowing what’s going to come in the future – the current climate of uncertainty is doing nobody any favours”.

Governments in Montreal must ensure that all decisions are adopted to make Kyoto operational and that funding is provided to help developing countries manage the impacts that are already occurring. All the decisions to make Kyoto work have already been negotiated but must now be formally adopted by the Kyoto Parties at this first meeting in Montreal. In addition, some States pledged funding to help developing countries manage the impacts that are already occurring and prepare for worse. This funding must be confirmed and delivered in Montreal. Jennifer Morgan, Director WWF’s Global Climate Change Programme: “Governments must deliver on their promise to assist those countries most vulnerable to climate change in managing the impacts already occurring. Only if such promises are kept will developed countries have any credibility with key developing countries.”