HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister Gordon Brown in Copenhagen for climate talks [December 2009]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 15 December 2009.

The Prime Minister is in Copenhagen where he will work towards securing an ambitious agreement that limits global warming to a maximum two degrees.

Gordon Brown is calling on developed and developing countries at the United Nations Climate Conference to work together to advance shared goals at a “critical moment”.

After arriving in Copenhagen, the PM went straight into talks with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, and Australian PM Kevin Rudd.

He said:

“It is possible that we will not get an agreement and it is also true that there are many issues to be sorted out. But I am determined – with the conversations I have had already today with President Obama, with Chancellor Merkel, with President Sarkozy, and with President Meles of Ethiopia and now I have been talking to the prime minister of Bangladesh, to do everything I can to bring the world together.”

Shortly before leaving for Copenhagen, the Prime Minister met his Ethiopian counterpart, Prime Minister Meles, who has played an important role in bringing together the views of African countries.

In a statement released after their meeting, Gordon Brown said Africa’s survival now depends on a climate change deal.

“Some degree of climate change cannot now be prevented; but we can avert the utter catastrophe that would be the 4, 5 or 6 degree rise implied by a business as usual path of emissions. And we can provide the nations of Africa with the financial support they need to cope with its effects.”

The PM said he supported proposals presented by Prime Minister Meles, saying they offer a basis for agreement in Copenhagen on the “difficult financing question which lies at the heart of the talks”.

Prime Minister Meles has proposed:

• A commitment to predictable and long-term finance, with a clear trajectory from the fast start period of 2010-12 to 2020. I have argued for this to reach 100 billion euros annually by 2020.
• A commitment to additonality, ensuring that we do not use climate finance to detract from our determination to meet the Millennium Development Goals.
• And a focus on the use of innovative financing mechanisms, such as a global transactions tax, to raise funds.

During the UN Climate Conference Mr Brown will also meet leaders from other African nations and the European Union, the UN Secretary General and representatives from hard-hit, small island states.