Costs of combating climate change modest says Pachauri

"Developed country parties must take the lead in combating climate change and the adverse effects thereof," said Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (pictured), at the opening ceremony of the UN Climate Change Conference COP-15 in Copenhagen, which took place in a packed Bella Center. "Mitigation of emissions is essential because, the IPCC has assessed its cost to be modest. To limit average temperature increase at 2 degrees to 2.4 degrees Celsius, the cost of mitigation by 2030 would not exceed 3 percent of the global GDP."

Pachauri defended his panel in the aftermath of the storm created by the publication of emails in recent days when a server at the University of East Anglia was hacked, prompting climate change skeptics to call into question the validity of key figures. Questioned by Saudi Aribian representatives, he defended the accuracy and transparency of conclusions of the panel, saying these were unaffected by the stolen emails.

“Societies must now respond to climate change by adapting to its impact and reducing green house gas emission," he continued. "There are viable adaptation options that can be implemented in several sectors at low cost and with high benefits costs."

Connie Hedegaard Danish Minister for the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen also spoke at the opening ceremony. "Actually the truth is that the Copenhagen deadline already works," she told delegates. "In recent weeks and months, many developed countries have announced ambitious emissions reductions, and many developing economies have indicated ambitious national action as their contributions to the global effort. China, Brazil Mexico, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, a few days ago India and last night South Africa, just to mention a few. Every positive announcement will improve our chances of staying below the 2 degree Celsius target."

“To those that may still hold back ambition, fearing their economy will suffer," she continued. "No, we don't have to choose between economic growth and climate conservation. A global deal will drive job creation; a global deal will drive competitive advantage, a global deal will drive energy security. So ladies and gentleman, let's get it done. The time has come to set the right cause for our world while we still can."

Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told delegates that: "The political will is there, we support you. Reach an effective, constructive and implementable agreement. Be visionary. The world relies on you." 

Meanwhile Swedish Minister for Environment Andreas Carlgren who is representing the EU during the conference has said that the EU wishes to up the game. "The EU wants to raise its bid for emissions reductions from 20pc to 30pc, but that all depends on whether the USA and China are willing to make similar concessions. The final decision will not be made until the last part of the conference."