Environmental Leader

Briefing the media on the opening day of the UNFCC climate conference in Poznan, Poland, Yvo de Boer emphasized the crucial role of finance in reaching a long-term solution to climate change (which was also a key message at Bali). Advancing the commitment of industrialized countries is intimately linked to enhancing the engagement of developing countries, he said.

Poznan would show progress on ongoing work under the Convention and allow Ministers to present their vision of long-term cooperative action, he said. His expectations for the conference – being attended by almost 11.000 participants – included the launch of the Adaptation Fund, as well as significant advances on technology transfer, the CDM and the issue of deforestation.

De Boer highlighted two signals received in 2007: The IPCC report, confirming the reality and impacts of climate change; and the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change, which said failure to act would equal economic failure on the scale of two World Wars and the Great Depression combined.