Letter sent on 23rd November 2005, organised by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and co-signed by SGR
Dear Prime Minister
We agree with you that climate change is "a major threat ". However, we are deeply concerned that UK policy seems to be drifting away from supporting legally-binding United Nations agreements to cut greenhouse gas emissions. We urge you to do everything in your power to make a success of the Kyoto protocol to the UN Convention on Climate Change and to start preparing the world for an even stronger agreement after 2012. Technological development is not a substitute for clear targets that force the pace of change.
Global leadership by the UK, currently holding the Presidency of the European Union and the G8, is key. But, to be effective, it must be credible and resolute. To lead the global debate, our own house must be in order and we must demonstrate that we are serious about meeting or exceeding targets already set. We should defend, not undermine, established UN agreements and step up the pressure on the United States and others to join mainstream international thinking and action on climate change.
Rich country governments must also wake up to the threat that climate change poses to international development. Poor people and nations suffer most from climate change but have contributed least to the problem. We must accept our responsibility to support their struggle to adapt to climate change, which will require a huge financial commitment. Without such action, climate change will increase world poverty and put the UN Millennium Development Goals beyond our reach.
Yours
Camilla Toulmin
Sarah Boyack MSP
Dr Andrew Bradstock
Malcolm Bruce MP
Colin Challen MP
Professor Paul Ekins
Tony Grayling
Sir John Houghton FRS CBE
Professor Mike Hulme
Professor Tim Jackson
Rt Rev James Jones Bishop of Liverpool
Lord Judd
Tony Juniper
Sunder Katwala
Glenys Kinnock MEP
Neal Lawson
Hywel Lloyd
Dr Caroline Lucas MEP
George Monbiot
Paul Noon
Rt Hon Clare Short MP
Andrew Simms
Barbara Stocking
Sir John Sulston FRS
Simon Trace
Dr Philip Webber
Baroness Whitaker
Camilla Toulmin is Director of the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).
Sarah Boyack is the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh Central.
Dr Andrew Bradstock is Director of the Christian Socialist Movement.
Malcolm Bruce MP is chair of the House of Commons International Development Select Committee.
Colin Challen MP is chair of the All-party Parliamentary Group on Climate Change.
Professor Paul Ekins is Head of the Environment Group at the Policy Studies Institute.
Tony Grayling is an Associate Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
Sir John Houghton CBE is the former chair of scientific assessment for the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Professor Mike Hulme is Director of Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.
Tim Jackson is Professor of Sustainable Development at the University of Surrey.
Rt Rev James Jones is the Bishop of Liverpool.
Lord Judd is a former Foreign Office minister and director of Oxfam; currently President of the Friends of the Lake District.
Tony Juniper is Executive Director of Friends of the Earth.
Sunder Katwala is General Secretary of the Fabian Society (personal capacity).
Glenys Kinnock is the Member of the European Parliament for Wales.
Neal Lawson is chair of Compass, the democratic left pressure group.
Hywel Lloyd is chair of the Socialist Environment and Resources Association (SERA).
Dr Caroline Lucas is the Member of the European Parliament for South-East England and author of "Global Warming, Local Warning".
George Monbiot is an author and columnist.
Paul Noon is General Secretary of Prospect, the union for professionals.
Sir John Sulston shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2002.
Barbara Stocking is Director of Oxfam GB.
Rt Hon Clare Short MP is the former Secretary of State for International Development.
Andrew Simms is Director of the new economics foundation.
Simon Trace is Chief Executive of Practical Action.
Dr Philip Webber is chair of Scientists for Global Responsibility.
Baroness Whitaker is vice-chair of the All-party Parliamentary Group on the United Nations.