Brussels, 29/11/2012(Agence Europe) - In Doha, where the United Nations climate conference (COP 18) taking place has for the moment brought no significant steps forward, Poland's offer to host the next conference, COP 19, at the end of 2013 has been warmly welcomed and is expected to be formally accepted at the end of the talks, on 7 December. It is news, however, which is as disconcerting to environmental NGOs as it is pleasing to Poland.
“I am pleased that our offer was so warmly received. We have shown time and time again that we are committed to the global process. Poland is the right place to talk about sustainable climate policy. Warsaw is a beautiful place to talk about this”, said Polish Environment Minister Marci Karolec, expressing his hope for “results that we can all call a success”.
WWF, however, is of the view that holding the meeting in Warsaw is not acceptable as long as Poland “does not lift its level of ambition in properly addressing the climate crisis”, arguing that, only once it does, will that country be able to claim to be “a credible host for COP 19”. Tasneem Essop, who heads the WWF delegation in Doha, made the point that, within the EU, Poland systematically slows all progress on climate and sustainable energy issues. (AN/transl.fl)