As Prime Minister Kevin Rudd arrives in Copenhagen the leaders of the Southern Cross Climate Coalition (SCCC), comprising union, welfare, environment and research groups, has urged him to take decisive action to help haul the negotiations back on track.
“The Prime Minister is a key player in climate discussions among world leaders and Australia has been playing a significant role in the Copenhagen negotiations, but it is now time for decisive steps,” said Don Henry, Executive Director of the Australian Conservation Foundation.
“The talks are now in danger because of serious differences about whether the Kyoto Protocol should continue or not. This deadlock can be broken by supporting a new commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol alongside a comprehensive global treaty,” said the Climate Institute’s John Connor.
“Australia can give an urgent boost to these negotiations by the Prime Minister putting forward solutions on three key issues that are undermining progress here in Copenhagen.”
“Developed and developing countries need to do more at these negotiations. Prime Minister Rudd has played and can continue to play a key role to build the ambition of greenhouse reduction targets and momentum for a serious outcome from Copenhagen,” said ACTU President Sharan Burrow.