9 December 2009: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP), together with the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, Ecofys, Climate Analytics, the Sustainability Institute, the European Climate Foundation and ClimateWorks, has released a statement stressing the need for the Copenhagen negotiations to deliver the high-end of current emissions reduction proposals and beyond in order to contain global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
The statement cites the conclusions of several papers released during the UN climate change conference, including that: the necessary level of reduction is both technically and economically feasible; achieving the 2ºC target will also require strong financial and technology support for developing countries; and a “review and strengthen” clause must be included in any Copenhagen agreement where countries review progress against the latest scientific evidence and continue to adjust their commitments accordingly. [UNEP Press Release][Stern/UNEP Report]