Embassies in Denmark want to combat climate change
The meeting on combating climate change was attended by ambassadors and diplomats from 22 embassies.
31.10.2009
The meeting at the French Embassy on 24 September on combating climate change turned out to be a top drawer affair. Represented either by their ambassadors or embassy staff, 22 embassies attended a presentation based on the theme of electricity savings by embassies in Copenhagen. The meeting was organised by the Danish Electricity Saving Trust, the City of Copenhagen's Klima+ initiative and the French Embassy.
The latter is the first embassy in Denmark to sign a Curve Breaker Agreement. The Embassy now wants to share its experiences with the aim of further reducing consumption. The Trust and Klima+ are ready to provide support, coaching, energy advice and Curve Breaker Agreements.
Only action can save the world
"Remember that once today's discussions are over, it's only actions that can save the world," said Mayor Klaus Bondam (City of Copenhagen Technical and Environmental Committee) to the assembled ambassadors and other diplomats who had turned up to hear about electricity savings.
"I recommend that you all become Klima+ embassies by signing Curve Breaker Agreements with the Trust. In this way you will be moving systematically towards a lower carbon footprint, thereby reducing the impact on the environment, " he added.
Embassies' ambitious targets should be carried forward into the COP-15 agreement
Klaus Bondam pointed out that a network of climate conscious embassies is a good example of what Denmark and Copenhagen can do on the climate front; something that Copenhagen can be proud of showing to international guests. " When viewed from a wider, political perspective, your efforts convince me that we should, and must aim for very ambitious reduction targets in the COP-15 agreement," he concluded.
And this is realistic, said French Ambassador Bérengère Quincy. "Everyone can be involved in doing something about global warming. We are already well on the way to reducing our electricity consumption by 15%. We would like to share our experiences with other embassies, so that collectively we can demonstrate our commitment to solving climate problems in the run-up to COP15."
Page last updated 31.10.2009