The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has told this year’s World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos it should be the launching ground for a campaign to develop a lasting solution to climate change.
Praising the European Union’s “ambition” for making a pledge to cut emissions 40 per cent by 2030, Mr Ban added he wanted other leading economies to come forward and make similar commitments by the time the UN’s annual climate summit opens in Peru at the end of this year.
“By the time of Peru we need to have a concrete draft document so members will negotiate on the basis of this document, which we hope will be adopted in Paris,” he said.
The annual gathering of world leaders, chief executives and influential investors in the Swiss resort is often seen as a barometer of the global economy, where bankers and economists discuss the risks and opportunities for the coming few years.
Today is scheduled to be ‘climate day’, featuring United States Environment Protection Authority (EPA) head Gina McCarthy, UN climate chief Christiana Figueres and the EU climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard.
Australia’s conservative Liberal-National Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who delivered a speech on his plans for the G20 meeting that Australia will host later this year, did not stay for the climate change discussion.
Compared to previous years, the climate change issue has crept up the 2014 agenda, and dominated a report released to coincide with the summit, rating extreme weather events in its ‘Top 10’ of challenges over the next decade.
Yesterday business entrepreneurs Sir Richard Branson and Arianna Huffington dominated the headlines, releasing proposals for a ‘Plan B for business’, encouraging delegates to think beyond simple profit.
“We’ve made pledges to get our own houses in order, and now we’ll go out to other businesses to see if they will sign the pledge,” Sir Richard said.
Then the focus turned to climate change, and a proposed global plan to keep warming below two degrees Celsius, scheduled to be signed off in Paris next year.
The EU’s release of its 2030 goals has offered added resonance, offering the billionaire investors crowding the conference rooms a sense of what ‘climate ambition’ looks like.
The EU’s White Paper has been heavily criticised by green groups and some low carbon investors since its release yesterday, many accusing the 28-strong team of Commissioners of offering a weak set of measures.
That’s not a view shared by European Commission President Juan Manuel Barroso, also in Davos and keen to focus on how climate targets can enhance economic growth.
Speaking at a press conference he strongly rejected claims the 40 per cent target was unambitious, adding that a resurgent world economy meant nations could devote more attention to cutting emissions.
“I hope our global partners will be with us in an equally determined and ambitious manner in the interest of everyone,” he said.
