In response to yesterdays G20 meeting in London, which saw mass demonstrations converge onto the streets, Director of Campaigns for WWF UK, David Hunter, said –
Today’s meeting was a huge missed opportunity for the G20 leaders. They failed to position sustainability at the core of their efforts to restructure the world’s economy.
As we head towards the crucial climate talks being held in Copenhagen in December, it is vital that we see a clear move towards a low carbon, more equitable future. Without it, we stand no chance of avoiding the worst impacts of climate change. Unfortunately, today’s outcome is worryingly vague.
While it is welcome that the G20 leaders reaffirmed their desire to reach a new climate change agreement, the lack of clear commitment to ensure that a substantial percentage of the economic stimulus is devoted to climate friendly measures is of real concern. It should be very clear by now that the climate crisis and the financial crisis are inextricably linked, and that trying to solve the latter on its own means that we, and the planet, will pay more later.
In the coming months there will be further opportunities, for example at the G8, for leaders to link the financial and trade stimulus to the creation of a green economy – and the world cannot afford for these to be missed too.
