Climate change conference: Moritz Leuenberger calls on all states to show binding commitment

Poznan, 11.12.2008 - At the UN Conference on Climate Change in the Polish town of Poznan, Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger drew parallels between climate protection and the financial crisis. The Swiss Minister for the Environment made the case for strong global regulation and a binding commitment from all states to limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

In his speech to the ministers gathered at the UN Conference on Climate Change in Poznan (PL) Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger emphasized that the situation has changed considerably since the Conference on Climate Change in Bali in 2007. Then, the states showed a strong commitment to putting together in time for Copenhagen in 2009 a binding climate agreement for the time after 2012, but one year later the crisis on the financial markets is claiming the world's attention.

Leuenberger warned against making the same mistakes in the climate question as in the financial crisis because there are many parallels: "In both cases, causes and consequences were known, the risks were or are being ignored and there can only be a global solution to the problem." He therefore appealed to the assembled ministers to introduce clear regulations for tackling global warming at the roots, globally and nationally. All states, including the USA and the emerging nations China, India and Brazil, would have to contribute to reducing the greenhouse gases so harmful to the climate and accept binding goals for reduction, said Leuenberger. He pointed out that Switzerland, following the course in the EU, aims to reduce its emissions by the year 2020 by at least 20 percent in comparison with 1990 (and 30% if other states also make a commitment).

Moritz Leuenberger warned against postponing action on climate protection because of the financial crisis and suggested that on the contrary investments are necessary: "We must invest in new technologies, renewable energies, more fuel-efficient cars, better insulated houses and in infrastructure to protect against natural hazards."

Since these investments cannot be made without costs arising, Leuenberger renewed the suggestion made by Switzerland of introducing a world-wide CO2 levy. In this way, using the polluter-pays-principle, funds can be obtained to prevent further global warming and to finance adaptation schemes.

At the World Conference on Climate Change in Poznan, Federal Councillor Leuenberger also held a working session with the Environmental Integrity Group, which through its member states Switzerland, South Korea, Mexico, Liechtenstein and Monaco is working towards the further development of a global climate policy. The group puts particular emphasis on discussing financial solutions for the avoiding climate change and adapting to it. Moritz Leuenberger also met Antonio Brack Egg, the First Minister of the newly created  Peruvian Ministry for the Environment and Nikolaus Berlakovich, the new Austrian Minister for the Environment and Agriculture.


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