The UN Climate Change Conference wrapped up last week amid a chorus of criticism that leaders had missed a golden opportunity to take some concrete steps towards a post-Kyoto Protocol agreement.
Christian Aid warned that while no backward steps were taken in Nairobi, it was nonetheless a "frighteningly timid response to a significant global problem".
Tearfund meanwhile expressed its disappointment over a lack of leadership and accused leaders of demonstrating a "failure of political will" at the climate talks.
Christian Today caught up with Steve Hucklesby, Secretary for International Affairs with the Methodist Church, and an Executive Committee Member of Operation Noah, to find out his thoughts on the conference and what shape a feasible post-Kyoto Protocol agreement might take.
CT: NGOs criticised leaders at the UN conference last week for their complacency. Do you share in that sentiment?
SH: Yes, the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, also talked in the past week about a frightening lack of leadership. People are already experiencing the impact of global warming yet still global emissions are on the increase. Given what we know about climate change, failure to commit to binding targets is simply irresponsible. Some governments are finding themselves increasingly out of step with both the scientific and business communities.
The Pacific Island State of Tuvalu is already seeing their islands disappear under rising sea levels. They are experiencing serious flooding from high spring tides. In Nairobi, the Government of Tuvalu, along with many developing nation delegations urged all governments to take decisive action.
There has as yet been no global target or set timetable agreed at the conference for emissions cuts. Are you disappointed with the way the conference turned out?
I don't think that we expected the Nairobi conference to deliver agreement on targets. It will be important to get the right targets and not just a lowest common denominator. We needed the Nairobi conference to put in place a timetable to work out post-Kyoto targets before the current 2012 targets expire. Very soon the parties to the Kyoto Protocol need to put figures to the deeper cuts that will be required. These will take into account the latest scientific evidence available. A new major report from the International Panel on Climate Change will come out in the early part of 2007. However there is a very real danger that we may not achieve agreement on new targets in the time available. This would be a terrible failure. There is no 'plan B' that can achieve justice for vulnerable populations.
David Miliband said it was "vital" that the US signs up to a post-Kyoto agreement. How optimistic are you that the US will join in? Is a post-Kyoto response to climate change possible without the US?
