Madrid, Spain –Squabbling over ‘Article 6’ has so far distracted leaders at COP25 from doing what hundreds of thousands of people in Madrid took to the streets for: to demand climate justice. Politicians at the COP will be under global scrutiny as they make the choice between commodifying nature via a carbon trafficking scheme, or moving ahead together with commitments on absolute emission reductions.
Read about Greenpeace’s expectations at the COP25 here.
Greenpeace Chile national director, Matías Asun, said:
“The COP25 may be in Madrid, but its heart is in Latin America where — in Chile in particular — the link between an environmental crisis and human demands for social justice is being played out on the streets. Chile needs to shut down its coal plants by 2030 or continue to suffer droughts and forest fires, triggered by polluting industries. Only by protecting its forests and making access to water a right is Chile able to demand other countries do better in tackling the climate emergency. It is not possible to have a fair quality of life without environmental and climate equity.”
Greenpeace Spain executive director, Mario Rodríguez Vargas, said:
“In Madrid, we just had the biggest environmental march in our history. This massive, peaceful demonstration of the peoples’ power must drive negotiations towards ambition that matches what the science demands to prevent the runaway climate emergency. This needs to resonate with Governments and politicians in the negotiations at the COP, and in the formation of the new government in Spain. We will not accept delays or deceit.”
Greenpeace International executive director, Jennifer Morgan, said:
“We are halfway through this climate conference and we’re yet
to see the energy on the streets translate into political energy at the
negotiating table. Organisers say hundreds of thousands of people peacefully
marched the streets of Madrid on Friday. Leaders in Madrid have a moral and
democratic obligation to make sure the sounds of their footsteps are heard in
the halls of power.
The Chilean presidency has put a spotlight on ambition and
said it would lead by example. As we move into week two and high level
ministers start to arrive, it will become increasingly clear which countries
are ready to enhance their commitments in 2020 and submit climate targets in
line with the Paris Agreement. It will also become clear which countries are
digging in and continuing to prioritise profit and self-interest over their
people.
It is in the hands of the Chilean presidency to put science
at the centre of these negotiations and turn people power into political
action. Leaders have to be courageous and find the way forward – there is no
other choice.”
ENDS
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Contacts:
Arin de Hoog, Greenpeace International, adehoog@greenpeace.org, +31 646 197 329
Conrado Garcia del Vado, Greenpeace Spain, cogarcia@greenpeace.org +34 660 47 12 67
Greenpeace International Press Desk: pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org, +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)
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