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Chancellor Merkel sees the opportunity for the climate summit to lay the groundwork for a global agreement.

(© BPA; by Kugler)

Speaking at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on the international community to come to an agreement on the fundamental substance of an accord. The people of the world will be terribly disappointed if we let this chance slip through our fingers, she said in Copenhagen on Thursday, December 17. It would be a "terrible signal to everybody who is working to give our planet a positive future in the 21st century."

Merkel called on the government representatives in Copenhagen to give everything in order to bring negotiations to a successful conclusion over the next 24 hours.

Industrialized states bear special responsibility 

The Chancellor pointed out that there is a broad consensus among scientists that global warming must be kept to no more than two degrees Celsius. To this end the carbon dioxide emissions of the industrialized nations must be cut by at least 25 percent of 1990 levels by 2020. Germany and the European Union have already stipulated their contribution. 

"We are willing to reduce CO2 emissions by a minimum of 80 percent by 2050, and we are also willing to accept a 20 percent cut by 2020, taking 1990 as a base year, as an interim target. If other nations accept similar targets, we are even prepared to go to 30 percent,” explained Merkel.

The Chancellor added that a number of other industrialized countries had accepted similar cuts. She now very much hoped that the representatives of the remaining states would improve the offers on the table. The aim should be to make savings of 25 of the planned 50 percent of CO2 emissions by 2020. "We have a chance of realizing this goal, provided we pull together,” declared the Chancellor.

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Environment Minister Röttgen in Copenhagen

(© picture-alliance/dpa)

Help for the poorest nations 

The consequences of global warming can already be felt in many countries. Chancellor Angela Merkel believes that the industrialized countries above all must act. 

"The second part of our responsibility is for me, that the countries which are now hardest hit by climate change, the poorest countries on Earth ... are entitled to expect us to help transfer the technology they need as well as our financial support. We must act swiftly, though – $10 billion will be needed worldwide in 2010, 2011 and 2012. And $100 billion will be needed by 2020, with major inputs needed over a period of many years to come, to allow the poorest countries to make their contribution. Germany is willing to shoulder its fair share of these costs,” she stressed. 

She welcomed the announcement of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the USA would contribute to the $100 billion a year by 2020. This is "an important step on the way to ensuring long-term commitment,” on the part of the US government, Merkel said.

Getting emerging economies involved 

If the industrialized countries lay down binding emissions reduction targets and make firm financial commitments, the emerging economies too, such as China and India, must do their bit and gradually assume more obligations. The industrialized countries can no longer tackle climate change alone. 

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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Chancellor Merkel meet bilaterally in Copenhagen.

(© picture-alliance/dpa)

"Naturally we have a shared responsibility with various degrees. Countries like China, India, and other emerging economies have now indicated that they are willing to do their bit,” declared the Chancellor. It is, however, also important that this be laid down in a joint framework and that we make shared commitments, she continued. All countries should take comparable steps to halt climate change. The emerging economies are not initially called on to reduce CO2 emissions but to significantly improve their energy efficiency.  

Setting the scene for a climate accord 

Chancellor Angela Merkel still believes that the Climate Change Conference can lay the foundations for a global agreement. "I am convinced that we have the strength to achieve this. I believe that it is everybody’s interests to take this next step,” declared the Chancellor, in an effort to galvanize participants.