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Kofi Annan calls for urgent action to protect world’s citizens from climate change

Geneva, Switzerland

Kofi Annan, President of the Global Humanitarian Forum (GHF), today called for urgent action to protect the citizens of the world, particularly the poor, from the impact of climate change.

Mr Annan was addressing world leaders, representatives of business and civil society, and the media, gathered in Geneva for the GHF’s second annual meeting to discuss the human impact of climate change. The meeting took place six months ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

In closing remarks to the Forum, Mr Annan said:

“The agreement world leaders strike in Copenhagen must be based on climate justice: it must be global, it must be fair and it must be binding. It must have at its heart the principle that pollution has a price and the polluter must pay. It must recognise that the world’s poorest are carrying the heaviest burden for a problem that they have done least to create.

“It is up to each of us to ensure that our leaders do not squander this historic opportunity. We must keep building the pressure to secure urgent action at Copenhagen, and beyond. Let us remember that Copenhagen is a turning point and not an end in itself. The hard work will continue long after that when it comes to implementing the agreement. We owe it to future generations to succeed.”

Three key themes emerged from the discussions at this year’s meeting:

First, individuals must play their part. Consumers have the power to make the right choices and put pressure on manufacturers and companies. It will involve difficult decisions and, in some cases, significant sacrifices, but it is necessary.

Second, there is a need for concerted action. The Forum will be publishing the outcomes of its meeting to help public and private sector actors to co-ordinate a response to the human impact of climate change.

Ultimately, the most urgent action lies with world leaders, who have the responsibility and power to put in a place a new framework for reducing carbon emissions in Copenhagen this December.

Walter Fust, chief executive of the GHF, said:

“It is clear that the humanitarian challenges caused by climate change are enormous. We have to put policies and people together for rapid adaptation and disaster prevention. We must act now – there is no time to wait.”

ENDS

“It is up to each of us to ensure that our leaders do not squander this historic opportunity. We
must keep building the pressure to secure urgent action at Copenhagen, and beyond. Let us
remember that Copenhagen is a turning point and not an end in itself. The hard work will continue
long after that when it comes to implementing the agreement. We owe it to future generations to
succeed.”
Notes to Editors

For further information on the Time for Climate Justice campaign please visit:  www.timeforclimatejustice.org

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