Climate Confidence Monitor
Copenhagen: Deal or no deal?
65 per cent of global population demand governments commit to climate deal
Nearly two thirds (65 per cent) of people surveyed across the globe believe a new international deal to cut emissions is ‘very important’, according to the annual Climate Confidence Monitor released today. The 12 country study, commissioned by the HSBC Climate Partnership, sends a clear message to governments preparing to attend the UN climate change summit in December to agree on a policy framework to tackle climate change.
Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF-UK said: "The findings of the Climate Confidence Monitor show that people believe governments need to take greater action and play a leading role in tackling climate change. The COP negotiations are on a knife-edge and we need to ensure that governments, particularly in developed countries, listen to people's voices and push for a strong and legally binding global deal."
The third Climate Confidence Monitor reveals a global consensus on emission reduction targets. 79 per cent want to see a commitment to ‘meet or significantly exceed’ a 50-80 per cent cut in emissions by 2050. This demand for commitment to reduction targets is highest in Mexico (91 per cent), Brazil (90 per cent), Hong Kong (84 per cent) and China (82 per cent) and lowest in India (75 per cent), UK (71 per cent) and the US (66 per cent).
Despite the deepening of the global recession since last year’s survey* was conducted, seven in 10 people (69 per cent) agreed that addressing climate change is at least as important, if not more important than supporting their national economy during the downturn. Respondents to this question were asked to prioritise spending public money on healthcare, crime, national defence, education and supporting the national economy during the downturn.
Lord Stern, adviser to HSBC on economic development and climate change said: “With just over a month to go before Copenhagen, this is a clear call from the global population for a strong and effective deal. Rich and developing countries must act together to create an agreement that will lay the foundations for a future era of dynamic low-carbon growth.”
To see the results from the survey go to www.hsbc.com/climateconfidencemonitor
