Posted on June, 08 2009

In June this year climate change experts from leading non-governmental organisations produced a blueprint for a legally binding Copenhagen agreement. This together with the latested updated document Real Deal for Copenhagen serve as the benchmark for governments negotiating a new climate deal this year and shows how major differences between rich and poor nations can be overcome.

The 160-page Copenhagen Climate Treaty, which was distributed to negotiators from 192 states, took some of the world's most experienced climate NGO's almost a year to write and contains a full legal text covering all the main elements needed to provide the world with a fair and ambitious agreement that keeps climate change impacts below the unacceptable risk levels identified by most scientists.

This is the first time in history that a coalition of civil society groups has taken such a step. Together we have produced the most coherent legal document to date showing balanced and credible climate solutions based on equity and sciencesaid Kim Carstensen of WWF International.

The document describes the path the world must be on to avoid catastrophic climate change, recognising that global temperature increase must be kept well below 2 degrees Celsius. It sets a global cap on emissions - a carbon budget - and explains in detail how both industrialised and developing countries can contribute to the safety of the planet and its people, according to their means and responsibilities and shows how the poorest and most vulnerable on the planet can be protected and compensated.

The 'Copenhagen Climate Treaty', was drafted by Greenpeace, WWF, IndyACT the League of Independent Activists, Germanwatch, David Suzuki Foundation, National Ecological Centre of Ukraine and expert individuals from around the world.

In October the experts have revamped the NGO Treaty document into a concise paper called the Real Deal for Copenhagen the content for which is based on the actual UNFCCC negotiations text.

Expert for interviews:

Kim Carstensen Leader, WWF Global Climate Initiative E: k.carstensen@wwf.dk M: +45-40-343635	Kathrin Gutmann Head of Policy, WWF Global Climate Initiative E: kathrin.gutmann @wwf.de M: +49-162-2914428
Wael Hmaidan IndyACT the League of Independent Activists E:whmaidan@indyact.org Tel/Fax: +961-1-447192	Christopher Bals Executive Director Policy, Germanwatch E: bals@germanwatch.org T: +49 174 3275669
Martin Kaiser Climate Political Coordinator, Greenpeace International       E: martin.kaier@greenpeace.org T: +49 171 8780817	David Marshall David Suzuki Foundation E: dmarshall@davidsuzuki.org
Irina Stavchuk National Ecological Centre of Ukraine E: irina.stavchuk@necu.org.ua T: +38(044)238-62-60

For more information or interview arrangements contact:

Ashwini Prabha E: aprabha@wwfint.org                                     M: +41-79-8741682

Stephanie Tunmore E: Stephanie.Tunmore@uk.greenpeace.org M: +44 7796947451