As ambassadors from around the world meet in Poland today for the next round of United Nations-led negotiations on a climate change treaty, the majority of people from both developed and developing nations want their governments to agree on carbon emission reduction targets, according to a new survey.
Some 12,000 people were surveyed in 12 countries and territories: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Mexico, UK and the US.
The results of the poll, commissioned by the HSBC Climate Partnership, show that people want their goverments to stop haggling on carbon concessions and act.
55% of respondents said that governments should invest in renewable energy, while 27% wanted officials to participate in climate change negotiations.
In China, 62% of people said their country should reduce emissions by at least as much as other countries and only 4% said their country’s emissions should be allowed to increase. In the USA, 72% of people said their country should reduce emissions by at least as much as other countries.
More than 40% of people surveyed chose climate change ahead of the global economy when asked about their current concerns.
Nonetheless, as negotiations open in Poznan, Poland today, uncertainty about the global economy continue to threaten the success of an international climate change treaty.
This uncertainty is highlighted by disagreements among European nations over proposed European Union emissions reductions. Before the economic meltdown, the EU was the strongest supporter for an international treaty to set targets for reducing global emissions of greenhouse gases.
On a positive note, observers are noting an ‘Obama Effect,’ referring to a perceived excitement surrounding the presidential election of Barack Obama and the likelihood of U.S. participation and leadership in the ongoing negotiations.
The Poznan talks, taking place December 1-12, are the half-way point in a two-year schedule to devise a new climate pact by the end of 2009 to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, which binds 37 industrial nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions until 2012.
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