FOE: Rudd must take responsibility for failure of Copenhagen talks

Media Release from Friends of the Earth - 18 December 2009

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd must take a large share of responsibility for the failure of the Copenhagen climate talks.

The talks are about to break up without a binding agreement or even a reasonable political framework sought by Australia, foundering on divisions between developing and developed countries.

"From day one, these talks were in trouble as rich, high-polluting countries, including Australia, tried to strong arm developing countries," said Damien Lawson, National Climate Justice coordinator, Friends of the Earth Australia.

"Kevin Rudd will try and blame developing countries for the failure of these talks, but he must take a large share of responsibility for the failure."

"Kevin Rudd and Australia, as a 'friend of the chair' was a central part of the controversial push by developed countries to override the Kyoto protocol, the only enforceable international climate agreement, and replace it with self-regulating targets that could only fail."

"Australia, along with other other developed countries, has failed to put large pollution cuts on the table or sufficient funding to help developing countries deal with climate change. While over 100 countries called for a target of 1.5 degree and cuts to below 350 ppm CO2-e, Australia continued to push for two degrees and a 450 ppm CO2-e target, while offering cuts that would not even fulfil them. "

"Kevin Rudd talked 2 degrees but his lack of action is more like 4 degrees."

"Kevin Rudd, tried to pressure Pacific and African countries to accept what they described as a "death sentence".

"The rich countries of the world, including Australia, must stop holding the rest of the world hostage with low ambition and unjust proposals."

"Kevin Rudd and Penny Wong must now re-evaluate Australia's position and join with our Pacific neighbours in advocating solutions that can really prevent catastrophic climate change."

For information: Damien Lawson 0419 253 342
Climate Justice Coordinator
Friends of the Earth Australia
www.foe.org.au