Make Copenhagen Count say Greens

25th October 2009

Sheffield Green Party is asking the Council at the November Full Council Meeting to lobby Government over the Copenhagen Climate Change talks. The talks are thought to be the best hope the world has of meeting the challenges of climate change before the impact becomes major and irreversible.

Coun Bernard Little said,

"The talks in Copenhagen will affect us all. If they work out an agreement,
there will be changes to what the council, public organisations and businesses in Sheffield can do and will do in tackling climate change. If they fail, then although individuals and organisations in Sheffield will be able to do a lot, it may not be enough".

"The council and many in Sheffield have signed up to 10:10, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 10% in 2010. This shows there is the will in Sheffield to do something about climate change. We just need national politicians to take that will to Copenhagen. We’re asking the council to make clear to our local MPs, and the minister responsible, that these talks need to deliver, for all our sakes.

ENDS

MOTION

That this council:

a) Believes there is a pressing need for action by the international community
to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2020, in line with
scientific evidence of the reductions needed to keep below a 2C rise in average
global temperatures;

b) Welcomes the efforts made by the people of Sheffield, businesses,
universities, the City Council and other organisations across the city, in
tackling climate change;

c) Believes, however, that to reduce emissions sufficiently will need
legislation and action at national and international level and therefore
welcomes the December Copenhagen Conference taking place this December that
aims to set a climate agreement from 2012;

d) Believes that a resolution from Copenhagen should:

i) establish a baseline and annual greenhouse gas reduction targets to 2020;

ii) include greenhouse gas emissions such as from the international maritime
industry and the international airline industry;

iii) commit to clarifying and resourcing the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
such that any offsetting projects are sustainable for the long-term and
properly assessed;

iv) include a measure to curb the rate of deforestation, especially of tropical
rainforest;

v) establish a framework of financial and technological support to help
countries adapt to climate change with additional investment provided to the
most vulnerable developing countries;

vi) commit to boosting funding of research, development and demonstration of
low-carbon and adaptation technologies.

e) Furthermore, believes that governments:

i) cannot assume "business as usual", especially areas with high per capita
emissions such as the United States and Europe, and states with a huge current
or potential impact on the climate such as China and India;

ii) will reap both economic, environmental, and social benefits through
investment in technologies, industry, and lifestyles sustainable with regard to
climate change;

iii) should divert investment away from industries that are worsening climate
change, such as air travel;

iv) should commit to meet emission targets by reducing greenhouse gas emissions
each year rather than outsourcing or off-setting;

f) Directs officers to send a copy of this motion to Sheffield MPs and the UK
Energy and Climate Change Secretary, urging them to push for a deal at the
Copenhagen Conference that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide the
best possible security for Sheffield’s future, and that of the wider world.

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