Fossil fuels fade as we focus on the world’s capitals | WPN World People News

As the hammer drops on 14 December to close the UN climate conference, the science remains clear on the need to permanently transition away from coal, oil and gas. Yet, at COP20, governments again failed to embrace the clean energy future that is already within reach.

Martin Kaiser, the head of international climate politics at Greenpeace, said:

“Governments have just kicked the can further down the road by shifting all the difficult decisions into the future. The momentum of the China-US agreement has slammed into nearly immobile climate talks. Time is running out and solutions must be delivered before climate chaos becomes inevitable.”

The success of the Paris agreement next year relies now on the decisions politicians make when they get home.

“Early next year, governments must show us something tangible and explain how they will cut emissions, support vulnerable countries and pay for clean energy by 2025.If weak goals are agreed upon for 2030, we’ll be locked into fifteen years of increasing pollution and more lives damaged by environmental catastrophes as we have just seen in the Philippines,” said Kaiser.

There was some good news that emerged from Lima. A carbon-free world has moved from being a green vision to becoming a point of real discussion at these negotiations.

“A total phase out of carbon emissions by 2050 is already supported by almost 50 countries. If all countries agree to a carbon free future in Paris, it can catalyse a rapid transition away from dirty energy -- like coal, oil and gas -- towards a 100% renewable future for all. A goal to phase out fossil fuels can provide a sure bet for investors to know where to put their money,” said Kaiser.

“Outside the walls of these negotiations, businesses, cities and local communities are already building renewable energy solutions to free us from climate-wrecking fossil fuels to ensure clean air, good jobs and resilient economies. People around the world are demanding this change and governments have to catch up to their needs,” Kaiser concluded.

Source: Greenpeace International