Reaction to Copenhagen summit deal mixed

News Article - 22 December 2009
Category:

The Copenhagen summit’s proposed deal has gone ahead despite extensive deadlock over the last two weeks and a perceived poor/rich country divide. Many commentators speculated a deal would not be reached, however the delegates passed a motion ‘recognising’ the US-led accord without formally adopting it.

While the deal has been heralded by some countries as a starting point with which to build a global commitment to carbon reduction, there is still tension amongst developing nations who feel the accord does not go far enough and was implemented without regard to proper process. Many argue it has undermined the authority of the UN, which has traditionally led the climate change agenda.

There is also concern the deal will not limit the global temperature rise to 2 degrees centigrade, the threshold US scientists say is necessary to avert severe climate change.

The main tenets of the climate accord are outlined below:

Temperature – the accord recognises the widely-cited 2 degree figure but does not endorse it. This has angered many of the world’s poorer countries who wanted the figure to be closer to 1.5 degrees. Many smaller island states believe their homes will become submerged if global temperatures continue to rise.

Financial support – monetary support for developing countries made up a significant part of the accord, and many commentators believe it was the main reason the accord passed despite the developed/developing country divide. The accord pledged $30bn in 2010-2012, with a target of $100bn a year from 2020 onwards.

Carbon emissions – the accord agreed that co-operation was necessary to effectively curb carbon emissions, and that the peak time frame would be longer in developing countries. However, no firm targets were established or suggested, which came as a disappointment for nations expecting a date that carbon emissions would begin to fall.

Emission reduction – developed countries were committed in the accord to immediately begin efforts to meet their own mid-term targets. Many delegates were looking for more global and aggressive carbon-reduction targets.

Forests – to prevent and limit the effects of deforestation, significant amounts of finance were pledged in the climate deal. Whilst this has been welcomed by conservation groups, they remain concerned the phrasing of the clause is unspecific and lacks safeguards to ensure its implementation.

Kevin Misselbrook, Customer Services Director at Access, recommends businesses do not become complacent due to the lack of carbon reduction targets in the accord.

“Whilst the accord is not as firm as it may have been, it still heralds the beginnings of a more focused global effort on tackling climate change,” said Kevin. “Businesses in developed countries will need to do their bit to help governments reach their mid-term targets, and as compliance regulations toughen, organisations will need to focus more attention and resource on business sustainability.”

Now that the Copenhagen summit has disbanded, it remains to be seen how the global climate change agenda will be shaped by the developments. Whilst many countries are happy with the outcome, many more are not, and the richer countries involved in the deal continue to face criticism regarding both the accord’s content and the process that led to its development.

Article keywords:

---

More industry news

• Think tank warns UK may have already slipped back into recession
• Growing demand for HR staff in technology and international sectors
• Boosting business growth a ‘priority’ to avoid Eurozone slowdown
• HMRC launches alternative disputes pilot scheme this week
• December employment statistics disregard gloomy recruitment predictions
• Eurozone manufacturing PMI shows modest improvement
• UK scores highly for economic governance by ratings agency
• Government launches two-year project focusing on manufacturing sector
• Burden of regulation on UK businesses ‘too high’

Back to news home page »