Countries are not on track to reach even their modest Kyoto targets, despite growing recognition that we are already facing dramatic consequences as a result of climate change. |
Extreme weather events, drought and rising sea levels threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions of people around the world. Negotiators must remember this as they enter these talks. |
I don't think it amounts to very much, but if the United States can sign up to that then it will move the process forward. |
The technologies which seem to be receiving interest from the Bank include those with damaging social and environmental impacts, such as nuclear, large dams and so-called 'clean coal'. It is widely understood that these technologies will not help to bring people out of poverty, which is the World Bank's mission. |
This is a major, major deal and a major historic day, to see this agreement going ahead. |
This proposal from the Bank does not suggest a strong ambition to re-direct financing away from existing fossil fuel patterns, or to deliver sustainable energy to the two billion people currently without. |