HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : UK and France push for ambitious climate deal [December 2009]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 11 December 2009.

Britain and France have agreed to work for an ambitious deal in Copenhagen which would keep global warming to within two degrees and enable the EU to reduce its emissions by 30 per cent by 2020.

In a joint press conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the European Council in Brussels, Gordon Brown said the two leaders are also pushing for a “fast-start launch fund” to help developing countries adapt to the effects of climate change.

The Prime Minister said Britain will provide at least £1.5billion over the next three years to this fund.

The two leaders released a joint statement setting out their ambitions for the Copenhagen summit, including goals to reduce deforestation.

The PM said:

“This is the time for more than words – it is the time for action, backed up by strong commitments. It is strong commitments that President Sarkozy and I are making here today.”

Speaking through an interpreter, President Sarkozy said:

“France and Britain want an agreement with a draw down of 30 per cent on emissions by 2020. We are the two countries that are spearheading Europe, pushing Europe to achieve this high-flying, far sighted and ambitious goal.”