Climate change commitments 'missing' in G8 report
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WWF is critical of the G8 Accountability Report released Sunday for not measuring progress on one of the most substantial G8 development and climate change commitments to date: to limit temperature rise to an identified 2 degrees Centigrade threshold of dangerous climate change.
"If we don't limit global warming to as far below two degrees as possible, all development ambitions will be in serious danger," said Kim Carstensen, leader of WWF's Global Climate Initiative. "The G8 countries have yet to make sufficient emission cuts to reach this goal, and this accountability report should be assessing – not ignoring – this issue."
"This report indicates that the world's leading economies have yet to integrate climate change and development plans in a real and meaningful way."
The G8 stated in 2009 that they would "take the lead" to ensure global and national emission peaks could “take place as soon as possible." They recognized that an "increase in global average temperature" shouldn't "exceed 2 degrees C." This followed the Gleneagles 2005 commitment - also not included in the Accountability Report - to make "substantial reductions" to stabilize emission concentrations in the atmosphere "at a level that prevents dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system."
"If anything should be in the Accountability Report, even one focused on development, it should be climate change. The G8 – and now G20 – should be sending clear messages to the rest of the world that they are working to cut emissions to reduce impacts on the most vulnerable, and stimulate a low carbon economy for all."
Of 56 indicators, there are five in total on energy and the environment. The Report does include the UN Copenhagen Accord promise on fast-track and long-term financing – both UN decisions that require the leadership of the G8 and G20 respectively.
The Report also notes that the G8 will fail to meet its 2010 objectives on reducing the loss of biodiversity. A temperature rise of 2 degrees C would put 30% of biodiversity at risk.
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