Open Letter

The Congress recognises the latest scientific findings from the IPCC on the reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions required to achieve climate stabilisation at a global temperature increase of less than 2˚C above pre-industrial averages.

The Congress notes that a 2˚C target is necessary to avoid dangerous climate change and urged governments to aim for complete decarbonisation of their economies as soon as possible.

The Congress proposes a World Joint Climate Protection Strategy such that:

• environmental business is to become officially recognized as a priority for economies worldwide
• legislative regulations are developed to attract investors' confidence in climate friendly technologies and products in global markets, with the emphasis on private business
• development and deployment of renewable energies are key targets for reduction of greenhouse gas GHG emissions; targets and enabling policies for renewable energies are to become adopted worldwide
• further development and transfer of clean technologies are promoted e.g. through the Clean Development Mechanism CDM alongside a global carbon market
• the foundation of new businesses, technologies and climate friendly science programmes is encouraged for protecting the climate worldwide, as well as new education programmes for environmental understanding and business

In furthering these aims, the Congress proposes that:

• the development and rapid deployment of renewable energy technologies for electricity, heating & cooling and road transport are to become central aims of a global climate regime
• a World Carbon Authority be established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC to oversee the creation of international carbon markets and the setting of price of carbon that will be reliable for planning long-term investment in low-carbon technologies and products and sufficient to achieve decarbonisation of the global economy by 2050 or earlier

• this price should be set by markets within a new Protocol to succeed the Kyoto Protocol under the UNFCCC, with explicit provision for:

• programme CDM that applies to both the land and the ocean and includes Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation REDD mechanisms

• a global emission cap-and-trade scheme GETS for international activities such as aviation and shipping, which have hitherto been substantially outside national jurisdiction

• the cap set to eliminate net greenhouse gas emissions from international activities

• allowances under the GETS should be fully auctioned and revenues used to support adaptation and mitigation through the reformed CDM and new REDD mechanisms
• policies and measures should be developed to deter and prevent from further use of fossil-fuel resources
• official standards agencies and patent bodies should urgently seek to convene sectoral meetings to establish international standards for low-GHG technologies and products appropriate for decarbonisation, building on advancement of international laws and procedures.

The Congress proposes to support the further development of World Joint Climate Protection Strategy initiated by the first gathering by holding annual Congresses, under the motto “Achieving a Sustainable Balance”. Highlights of the Second Congress in India in 2009, among others, will be the further development and transfer of clean technologies as well as a localisation programme with the emphasis on private business and education. The Congress solicits support for the Second Congress by participation of scientific, business and political leaders, funding, inclusion in governmental programs and other involvements.

On behalf of the Congress:

Mrs Elen Meder - Initiator and Official Organiser of the Congress, CEO, Academy for European Management GmbH, Germany

Dr Ian S F Jones - Scientific Patron of the Congress, Director, Ocean Technology Group, University of Sydney, Australia

Dr Terry Barker - Chair of the Congress, Chairman Cambridge Econometrics, and Director, Cambridge Centre for Climate Change Mitigation Research (4CMR), Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge, UK

Mr Rainer Hinrichs-Rahlwes - Facilitator of the Congress and Speaker, Board Member, BEE – German Renewable Energy Federation, Germany

Mr Stephen Voller - Facilitator of the Congress and Speaker, CEO, Voller Energy Group Plc (LSE: VLR), UK

Dr Gustav R. Grob - Media Partner of the Congress and Speaker, President CMDC and Executive Secretary of ISEO, Switzerland

Mr Gerhard Stryi-Hipp - Speaker of the Congress, General Manager, Solar Federal Association, Germany

Mr Rolf Messerschmidt - Speaker of the Congress, Director, Planning Company Joachim Eble Architektur, Germany