6 December 2009: One day ahead of the opening of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer underlined that negotiators have “the clearest signal ever from world leaders to craft solid proposals to implement rapid action.”
He referred to the numerous emission reduction pledges that developing and developed countries have made in the run-up to the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 15), noting the unprecedented political momentum. He outlined three layers of action that governments must agree to in Copenhagen: fast and effective implementation of immediate action on climate change; ambitious emissions reduction commitments, including start-up funding and a long-term funding commitment; and a long-term shared vision on a low-emissions future for all. Michael Zammit Cutajar, Chair of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA), and John Ashe, Chair of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP), also stressed the importance for Copenhagen to be a success. [UNFCCC Press Release]