National
Climate conference opens in Barcelona
By h.b. - Nov 2, 2009 - 7:26 PM
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María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, opening the conference in Barcelona on Monday - EFE
4,000 delegates and Greenpeace have taken over the city
Some 4,000 delegates from more than 180 countries have arrived in Barcelona for what is hoped will be the final round of talks ahead of the climate change summit to be held in Copenhagen next month. The target is a new agreement against global warming, and a limit on CO2 emissions in particular.
Meanwhile Greenpeace welcomed the arrivals with more than 15 activists climbing up Gaudi’s famous Sagrada Familia Cathedral in the city, to unfurl a 600 square metre banner reading ‘World leaders make the climate call, Save the climate – Salvad el Clima’. Greenpeace climate change chief, Raquel Montón, said that more political will was needed. ‘Zapatero has to end the double game he has played until now, saying one thing and doing the opposite’, she said.
Deputy Prime Minister, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, is expected to announce during the congress an extra Spanish investment of 100 million € over the next three years in measures to adapt to climate change, and promote sustainable development. During the opening on Monday she spoke of ‘a terrible future’ for the planet unless urgent measures are taken, and underlined the importance of helping poorer countries to economic models which are more respectful to the environment.