Oct 27 2009
As just over one month remains before nations converge in Copenhagen to 'seal the deal' on a new climate change agreement, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has laid out his four benchmarks for success at the negotiations in the Danish capital.
Firstly, he wrote in an opinion piece in the New York Times published yesterday, every country - developed and developing - must do all it can to slash emissions from all sources, including deforestation and shipping.
"A successful deal must strengthen the world's ability to cope with an already changing climate," Mr. Ban added, stressing that "support for adaptation is not only an ethical imperative; it is a smart investment in a more stable, secure world."
Thirdly, any deal must be backed by funding to allow poorer countries to transition to a low-carbon economy.
Lastly, the Secretary-General wrote, nations must agree on an equitable global governance structure. "All countries must have a voice in how resources are deployed and managed. That is how trust will be built."
Despite the gridlock at the last round of climate change negotiations held in Bangkok, Thailand, earlier this month, "the elements of a deal are on the table," he underscored.
All that is needed to put them in place is political will, Mr. Ban said. "We need to step back from narrow national interest and engage in frank and constructive discussion in a spirit of global common cause."
The leadership of the United States in this endeavour, he said, is vital, noting that he is encouraged by last week's bipartisan initiative in the US Senate.