Belfast 2008
Resolution on climate change
The UN’s Climate Panel (IPCC) has concluded that climate change is happening, that it is man-made and that it will have grave consequences for life on earth unless global emissions of greenhouse gases are significantly reduced the next two to three decades, and by 75 to 90 per cent before 2050. The EU has set itself the task to reduce carbon dioxide emissions before 2020 by 20-30 per cent. The Stern Review concludes that the benefits of strong and early measures to fight climate change are far greater than the costs of doing nothing.
Inaction, on the other hand, is both risky — since we do not know all the consequences of the rapidly rising temperature — and will also make it more difficult to prevent climate change and adaptations to the rising temperature. Inaction may thus cause irreversible changes in living conditions on earth, and may provoke calls for stronger measures that disregard liberal principles and democratic rights.
Those who emit greenhouse gases must pay for it, i.e. the polluter-pay-principle should guide liberal policies in this field. The market is a powerful tool to achieve this, and it is therefore necessary to both include climate costs in different economic activities and stimulate innovative energy-efficient production methods. This calls for such measures as carbon tax and a global emissions trading system. The establishment of an international system for trade with emission rights is an important measure to reduce global emissions. The Liberal International calls for all governments to contribute actively to this.
The Liberal International believes that climate change must be solved through a global climate agreement that includes both the major emitters — like Europe and North America — and the fast rising emitters — like China and India. Such an agreement must also put a price on carbon emissions and result in emission reductions in line with the recommendations of the IPCC.
Through their rise in prosperity over the last 200 years, traditional “industrial countries” have caused most of the climate change we are trying to stop. Consequently, industrial countries must be willing to bear a major part of the costs to prevent climate change, to initiate research and development, to invest in better practices, and to take the lead in international negotiations. Since a majority of the world’s population lives in the non-industrial world, and has not been part of the global rise in prosperity, the industrial countries must show that it is possible for all countries to decouple growth in emissions from economic growth, rising living standards, and social development. To achieve this it is necessary to fully develop all possible ways of producing renewable and carbon-free energy.
Liberal International calls upon all governments to play a proactive role in the international efforts to pave the way for EU´s an international objective of 30 per cent, and aim for emission commitments – both at home and abroad – corresponding to a 30 per cent reduction in the global emission of green house gases by 2020 compared to the 1990 level.
