Francisco Ferreira (Quercus) em Nairobi
Discurso proferido às 13.10h no Segmento de Alto Nível
STATEMENT BY H.E. DR. HUMBERTO ROSA
PORTUGUESE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT
AT COP 12 OF THE UNFCCC AND COP/MOP 2 OF THE KYOTO PROTOCOL
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen
I have never been skeptic about climate change. Since the first news and reports, I grasped the close link between the greenhouse effect and human activity. Yet, I am impressed by the ever growing evidence of climatic changes, and I am shocked by images of glaciers shrinking all over the world.
Climate change is here, and it is happening much quicker than we had expected.
The case for urgent action has been building, and is now overwhelming. Recent studies, particularly the Stern Review, clarify the relative costs of action and inaction.
They also confirm that Developing Countries are particularly vulnerable, and that the poorest will be hit earliest and hardest by climate change. Africa knows this fully well.
In Europe, southern countries like Portugal will be exceptionally affected by climate change. We are already experiencing coastal erosion, recurring droughts, forest fires, and heat waves with increasing frequency.
Thus, we do understand the meaning and the importance of adaptation, complementing the mitigation efforts.
Scientific knowledge leaves no room for doubt that the World needs to act, and to act now. But whatever the magnitude of the challenge, it offers broad opportunities for innovation and development. Industrialized countries should keep leading further reductions of green house gases’ emissions. In the European Union, our heads of state and government have clearly steered our societies on such a path.
Further work is ongoing, in particular with regard to the links between climate and energy. Tackling climate change and addressing energy needs and security are two aspects of the same challenge: improving living conditions for individuals, while ensuring continuous sustainable development.
Portugal believes that with strong, deliberate policy choices, it is possible to decarbonise our economies without hampering development.
This is the scope of our recent steps to further strengthen our national Climate Change policy.
Portugal holds responsibilities under the global climate change regime, in the framework of the European Union. We are fully committed to complying with the Kyoto Protocol. In addition to our internal efforts, Portugal will be investing up to 350 million euros, particularly in the Clean Development Mechanisms, through the Portuguese Carbon Fund.
We are cooperating with a number of developing country partners, in particular the Portuguese Speaking Countries in Africa, to identify opportunities and to promote and facilitate such investments. In fact, Portugal hopes to contribute significantly to raise the share of Clean Development Mechanisms targeting investments in Africa.
Mr. President, Ladies and gentlemen,
We are glad to notice that this first meeting in Sub-Saharan Africa has already achieved good progress on issues of particular importance to Developing Countries, such as adaptation.
Further efforts and challenges lie ahead of us. They are of such magnitude, and the action required is so widespread, that all countries – developed and developing alike – must increasingly take part in fighting global climate change. In the future, we must find solutions that are diverse, innovative, and flexible.
The future requires an inclusive dialogue and fair outcomes. In this conference, we need to pave the way for an effective and balanced post-2012 climate regime.
Portugal will be holding the European Union’s rotating presidency during the second half of 2007, at next year’s Climate Change Conference. We look forward to collaborating with all of you for another successful outcome.
Thank you very much.