Copenhagen: Global green lobby united in condemnation of accord

CAMPAIGNERS reacted furiously to the climate deal struck in Copenhagen, after hours of frantic talks between world leaders.

Last night, WWF Scotland director Dr Richard Dixon said: "Today, the biggest working meeting of world leaders failed to rise to the climate challenge.

"After years of negotiations, we have reached a declaration of will which currently binds no-one and fails to guarantee a safe climate for future generations. As it stands, this weak accord will not keep global warming below the danger level of 2C.

"If the gaps between rhetoric and reality are not closed, this deal could cost millions of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars."

Dr Dixon said if the EU had moved earlier in the process and committed unilaterally to 30 per cent, "we could have been in a better position at this point".

He added: "Governments must act urgently to set out a clear timetable for when a legally binding agreement will be reached - the world is still awaiting the leadership it needs.

"In the meantime, we need to encourage more local action to reduce emissions. From the village level up to states like California, there is already tremendous work going on to cut carbon.

"If our global governments continue to fail us, we must act locally. It is particularly important that Scotland gets on and delivers our 42 per cent target for 2020, reducing emissions, creating jobs and improving people's lives."

Aid agencies, who have been demanding a strong and fair deal - to help the world's poorest and most vulnerable people fight the impact of global warming - said the accord would lead to more deaths in the developing world.

Save the Children policy adviser Lydia Baker said: "By signing a sub-standard deal, world leaders have effectively signed a death warrant for many of the world's poorest children.

"Up to 250,000 children from poor communities could die before the next major meeting in Mexico at the end of next year.

"They are most vulnerable to the impacts of disasters, disease and malnutrition which are all exacerbated by climate change. "Their survival should have been the first priority for world leaders at Copenhagen."

At the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, head of policy and campaigns Neil Thorns said: "How could some countries put limiting self-interest above unrelenting scientific evidence and a growing number of deaths amongst the poorest due to climate change?"

Nelson Muffuh, of Christian Aid, said: "

Rich countries resorted to strong-arm tactics and intransigence to shirk responsibilities.

"A statement of inadequate political intent is not the fair, ambitious and legally binding deal that is required. It represents a setback in the fight for climate justice, but the battle goes on."

Friends of the Earth labelled the deal an "abject failure".