February 14th, 2015: 12:01 am GMT
Felipe Calderón, former President of México and Chair of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate issued the following statement:“We welcome the announcement made today by all major UK political parties that they will work together to accelerate the transition to a competitive and low-carbon economy. Climate change is an issue that affects everyone; it is right that these leaders put tackling climate change above party politics. The UK’s cross-party agreement serves as a positive example to other countries struggling to act on climate change. A focus on the simultaneous economic and climate benefits of low-carbon growth makes sense from any angle, and can help bridge typical partisan divides."
“By pledging to accelerate the transition to a competitive, energy efficient low-carbon economy, David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg all recognise that it is in the UK’s self-interest to act now to reduce climate risk by investing in a better, lower-carbon, less polluting growth model. Ending the use of unabated coal for power generation is a crucial commitment and one the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate strongly endorses in our report Better Growth, Better Climate. Globally, pollution from burning coal is a contributor to the estimated 3.7 million premature deaths each year from outdoor air pollution, and coal production also causes ill health, injuries and deaths. Other countries should follow this lead and accelerate the shift away from polluting coal-fired power generation.”
“We are also heartened that whatever government is formed after elections this May, the UK will seek a fair, strong, legally binding, global climate deal which limits temperature rises to below 2°C. Consistent and credible government policy signals are essential for businesses and investors to create jobs, growth and innovation. By establishing a level playing field through an international climate agreement, we can unlock investment and innovation in a low-carbon economy.”
Nicholas Stern, Co-Chair of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, Chair of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at London School of Economics and Political Science, and President of the British Academy, said: “I am glad to see the leaders of the three main Westminster parties giving their support to strong international and domestic action on climate change. The next UK Government will need to ensure a step change in the pace of the transition to a low-carbon economy in order to meet the statutory carbon budgets and to decarbonise the power sector by 2030.”
“A key part will be to end emissions from coal, which are twice those from natural gas per unit of electricity generated. The Coalition Government has already introduced regulations to prevent the construction of any new coal-fired power stations unless they are equipped with carbon capture and storage technology. We now need to bring a speedy end to coal-burning by existing power stations which release carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere.”
“The transition to a low-carbon economy and investment in our cities and transport to make them more efficient, less congested and cleaner has great potential to drive a dynamic, more attractive and sustainable growth story for the UK, and indeed help the UK with design and technology it can take to the world. I hope that the leaders will embody their commitment to a low-carbon economy in overseas aid to help poor countries to overcome poverty and make their transition to low-carbon growth and to become more resilient to those impacts of climate change that cannot now be avoided.”
ENDS
About the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate: The Global Commission on the Economy and Climate was established by seven countries: Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Norway, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom, as an independent initiative to examine how countries can achieve economic growth while dealing with the risks posed by climate change. Chaired by former Mexican President Felipe Calderón, and co-chaired by renowned economist Lord Nicholas Stern, the Commission comprises 24 leaders from 19 countries, including former heads of government and finance ministers, leading business people, investors, city mayors and economists. It has been advised by a panel of world-leading economists chaired by Lord Nicholas Stern that includes two Nobel Laureates.
Research for the Commission has been carried out by a partnership of leading global economic and policy institutes, including the World Resources Institute (Managing Partner), the Climate Policy Initiative, the Ethiopian Development Research Institute, the Global Green Growth Institute, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, LSE Cities at the London School of Economics and Political Science, the Stockholm Environment Institute and Tsinghua University.
For media inquiries contact:
Tan Copsey, tan.copsey@newclimateeconomy.
Bob Ward, r.e.ward@lse.ac.uk, +447811320346
