Climate change and unsustainable use of limited resources have converged to challenge humanity to rethink how we live. If we continue to live beyond Earth’s ecological limits in combination with dangerous climate change this might lead to the collapse of human civilisation. Climate change is an issue of human rights and global equity, with security implications that might threaten international peace. An equitable solution with respect for local communities is fundamental for success in international climate policy.

Therefore, Global Greens call on the international community to negotiate in good faith to ensure that a binding and equitable regime for global greenhouse gas reductions will be agreed at the COP 17 at Copenhagen in 2009. Global Greens also call for the international community to commit to the Bali mandate by:

Ø Building on key principles and mechanisms of the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol;
Ø Set rigorous short, medium and long-term emission reduction goals consistent with limiting average global temperature increase to below +2ºC above pre-industrial levels;
Ø Requiring reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels;
Ø Applying binding targets for emission reduction for industrialised and developed countries of 40% by 2020 and at least 90% by 2050 compared with 1990 levels;
Ø Applying fair and proportionate targets for developing countries;
Ø Including effective and predictable financing for adaptation, incentives for ecosystem restoration and to avoid deforestation, forest degradation and reduce land use emissions;
Ø Making significant advances in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and facilitating non-nuclear and non-fossil fuel technology and deployment; and
Ø Including the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.

Global Greens maintain that nuclear power must remain excluded from mechanisms aimed at emission reduction, since a world that does not rely on fossil fuels and nuclear energy is possible. A serious investment in energy saving, resource-efficient and renewable energy technologies will also bring an increase in quality of life as people adopt localised food and consumption, better public transport and urban planning.

Global Greens consider that after 2015 greenhouse gas emissions should decline to a level below the natural absorption capacity of natural sinks. Therefore, it is necessary:

Ø To place quantifiable limits on fossil fuel extraction;
Ø Phase out all subsidies on coal, oil and natural gas;
Ø Promote investment in renewable energy, sustainable transport and energy productivity;
Ø Promote technological innovation and the Clean Development Mechanism as a supplement and not a replacement for domestic reduction;
Ø Adopt a principle of polluter pays.

Global Greens call for an agreement to develop full carbon accounting measures to counteract negative impacts of agro-fuel and monoculture plantations. Therefore, Global Greens call for integration of the Convention on Biodiversity and UNFCCC. An independent and predictable financing to assist low-income countries is needed in adapting to already inevitable climate change.

Global Greens recognize that geological or oceanic sequestration is not a feasible option for decreasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Greens ask our governments to apply the proposal by the Stern review that at least 1% of global GDP should be invested to face global warming.