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Media coverage of the International NGO Conference and International Climate Dialogue Meeting
The Conference and the International Climate Dialogue meeting were widely covered by the Press, Radio and TV broadcasts. Below is listed the media coverage, a short summary of the contents as well as a summary of quotations.
Written Press:
Arbejderen 13th of May, page 3
Title: "NGO's convene to create common Climate Strategy"
The article described the purpose of the event, listing several of the NGOs participating.
Quotes:
Jon Bugwald, Greenpeace saying how the rich countries should live up to their responsibility by making sufficient funds available to adaptation in developing countries.
Jyllandsposten, 15th of May, page 15
Title: ´"Less Neutrality, more Viking Spirit"
Author: Antonio Hill, Senior Policy Adviser, Climate Change, Oxfam, John Smith Drive, Cowley, Oxford, UK.
The article calls on Denmark and Sweden to live up to their responsibilities as chairs of the COP 15 and of the EU and use their positions to fight for an ambitious deal in Copenhagen instead of adopting a role as neutral negotiators.
Kristeligt Dagblad, 15th of May, front page
Title: "Climate debate: we sink, whilst you talk".
Author: Peter Emberson.
The article focuses on the plight of Small Islands States suffering from the effects of Climate Change and calls for the people of Denmark to press their government to adopt ambitious mitigation targets.
Kristeligt Dagblad, 15th of May, page 17
Title: "The Earth and the Sea is God's gift to us and the future generations"
Author: Peter Emberson.
The chronicle calls on the Danish government as a host country to adopt ambitious mitigation targets in line with science as well as to start focusing on reaching more ambitious compromises instead of going for the lowest common denominator. The voices of the poor people already suffering from detrimental effects of Climate Change should have much larger resonance in the Danish negotiation strategy in order to reach a fair and ambitious Climate Deal in Copenhagen.
Information, 16th of May, front page
Author: Jørgen Steen Nielsen
Title: "Climate Deal: Grassroots fear a Climate Deal that's worse than no Deal at all"
The article focuses on how the Climate agreement in Copenhagen may be so weak, that international NGOs are forced to denounce the Deal.
Quotes:
Rubens Born,Vitae Civilis Instituto; Sanjay Vashist, Climate Action Network South Asia; Dale Marshall, David Suzuki Foundation on how inadequate mitigation targets for the developed countries will lead to a weak Climate Deal and may force some NGOs to denounce it. Alden Meyer, Union of Concerned Scientists, on how a weak deal sold to the public as a success, will be a very dangerous situation. A break down in the negotiations is preferable as it will put pressure on politicians to reach a more ambitious agreement. Connie Hedegaard, Danish Minister for Climate and Energy, on how NGOs shouldn't push for longer negotiating period in the hope of more ambitious deal will be reached. It's important to keep the pressure in order to reach a Deal.
Information 16th of May, page 4-5
Author: Jørgen Steen Nielsen
Title:"Climate Deal Meeting: Rather a break down than a weak Deal in Copenhagen".
The article focuses on why NGOs might prefer a break down in the negotiations rather than a weak deal as well as the crunch issues between the developed and the developing countries that currently stalls the negotiations.
Quotes:
Alden Meyer, Union of Concerned Scientists on how a break down in the negotiations is preferable to endig up with an unambitious deal. If the deal is weak but announced as a success by politicians it would lead people to think that Climate Change is under control. A breakdown in negotiations would instead lead to international crisis and put politicians under pressure to improve it.
Country positions
Tony Mohr, Australian Conservation Foundation explaining the pro and cons of the Australian mitigation target and criticizing the lack of a proposal to secure funds for adaptation projects in the developing countries. Dale Marshall, David Suzuki Foundation, on the inadequacy of the Canadian Climate policy and mitigation target. Alden Meyer, Union of Concerned Scientists criticizing the lack of a US proposal on finance that support adaptation and mitigation projects in developing countries. People in Congress believe that such a proposal would mean giving China huge sums, but what China wants is actually cooperation and licensing agreements. Yanli Hou, WWF China adds that Chinas has already initiated several Climate Change strategies, but that China will only commit to a deal if the developed countries adopt strong mitigation targets. Sanjay Vashist, Climate Action Network South Asia, say that it will be the level of finance and support from developed countries to developing countries that will determine whether India will sign the deal, as well as whether the developed countries adopt sufficient mitigation targets. India will not sign up for reductions commitments, but will be willing to have national actions verified internationally. He believes that India should sign up for reductions of 30 % compared to BAU. Tashneem Essop, WWF South Africa, outlining the similar position of South Africa and explaining South Africa's ambitions for GHG reductions and other Climate Change initiatives. Rubens Born, Vitae Civilis Instituto on how Brazil should adopt a Climate strategy where emissions will peak in 10- 15 years and hereafter start falling.
What is a realistic outcome of the COP 15?
Rubens Born, Vitae Civilis Instituto predicts lower reduction targets than the NGOs are asking for and that it will end up being a framework agreement, where specific targets will be defined within a 5 year period. Tashneem Essop, WWF South Africa says that NGOs have realized that the deal will not be as they would like to see it, but it's important to have the right mechanisms in place, so that specific targets can be discussed after Copenhagen. Sanjay Vashist, Climate Action Network South Asia argues that its not possible to predict what the deal will end up looking like, but we can't rule out that we will have to condemn it. Tony Mohr, Australian Conservation Foundation say that without doubt there will be NGOs who will be disappointed by the outcome in Copenhagen. We argue for a 5 year commitment period as it provides possibilities for negotiating more ambitious targets later. Dale Marshall, David Suzuki Foundation; Yanli Hou, WWF China understands if some NGOs will condemn the agreement. An agreement only slightly better than Kyoto is a catastrophe. Tashneem Essop, WWF South Africa thinks that the politicians are starting feeling the pressure that's on them to deliver an ambitious deal. It will be extremely unwise by politicians not to live up to people's expectations.
Politiken 16th of May, page 7
Title: "Demand to the EU: Put money on the table"
Author: Ellen Ø. Andersen
The article focuses on the delayed EU proposal for the level of financing the EU will provide for adaptation and mitigation in the developing countries.
Quotes:
Connie Hedegaard, Danish minister for Climate and Energy is quoted for saying she is frustrated by the lack of progress and calls on the NGOs for stepping up the pressure. She also hinted that it's not necessarily a bad thing if the US Waxman bill on Climate Change is not finalized before COP 15. Alden Meyer, Union of Concerned Scientists agrees that it's better if the Waxman bill is not finalized before Copenhagen. That way it's easier to put pressure on the US to adopt more ambitious targets than what is proposed so far. If it has already been agreed to, it will not be possible to reopen the discussion and bringing it in line with the COP 15 level of ambition.
Politiken 16th of May, page 7
Title: "Floating kitchen gardens and ducks as adaptation to Climate Change"
Author: Ellen Ø. Andersen
The article focuses on effects of Climate Change in the developing countries. There is no financial support from the developed countries for adaptation, but NGOs are already helping countries adapt to Climate Change.
Quotes:
Saleemul Huq, IIED, criticizes the developed countries for not providing the promised funds for the adaptation fund. It would create progress in the negotiations if the money starts flowing. Rachel Berger, Practical Action says that NGOs have already begun helping developing countries adapt to Climate Change. They have found that in Bangladesh its actually better for people to keep ducks rather than chickens as ducks can cope better with flooding. Another idea is to establish floating kitchen gardens.
Arbejderen, 19th of May, page 3
Title: "Climate Activists put pressure on government leaders"
Author: ml
The article focuses on the outcome of the International NGO Conference on Climate Change organized by the 92 group.
Quotes:
Tove Marie Ryding, Chair of the Danish 92- group says it's important to gather and share experiences making the NGOs ready to put maximum pressure on the political leaders at the Bonn meeting. She also outlined the key issues that the NGOs will fight for: Financing, mitigation targets for developed countries, help to adaptation in the developing countries.
Radio:
DR, Climate and environment, P1, 15th of May
Interview with Wael Hmaidan - IndyACT / Arab Climate Alliance
DR, Climate and environment, P1, 22th of May
Interview with Alden Meyer, Union of Concerned Scientists.
http://www.dr.dk/P1/klimaogmiljoe/Udsendelser/2009/05/21203118.htm
TV:
Tv2 news
Interview with Troels Dam Christensen, Coordinator 92- group
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