Alongside the G8 summit in L’Aquila, the leaders Major Economies Forum held discussions and issued a joint declaration on climate change and energy security.

 

Governments of Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the EU Commission, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States of America participated.

 

Achievements at MEF Key achievements of the Major Economies include:

• For the first time, both developed and developing countries have recognised that the increase in global average temperature above pre-industrial levels ought not exceed 2 degrees C. This helpfully sets a framework for a post 2012 climate change deal in Copenhagen
• For the first time, developing countries have committed to undertaking low carbon development plans; agreed to take action to deliver 'meaningful deviation' from their projected Business as Usual emissions; and have committed to their emissions peaking as soon as possible 
• Agreement on some key principles for climate finance, which underpin the UK position as set out in the Prime Minister's speech on 26 June. In this speech, the PM showed real leadership on this crucial issue and the UK will continue to encourage ambitious outcomes on the road to Copenhagen
• New commitments to collaborate on development, dissemination and transfer of transformational low carbon technologies, like solar, CCS, low carbon vehicles, with groups led by different countries reporting back by November, and commitment to double spending on research development and demonstration of low carbon technologies.

 
These achievements helpfully sets the framework for a post 2012 climate change deal in Copenhagen this December. The Major Economies Forum process will continue in order to facilitate agreement in Copenhagen, demonstrating the commitment to conclude an ambitious climate change deal in December.

 

Related information:

MEF communique now available

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