Urgent calls for action in Copenhagen

By Khanyisa Tabata
18 December 2009


United States President Barack Obama has called on world leaders to come together at the United Nations climate summit in Copenhagen as time runs out to strike a deal.

Obama told delegates the international community's ability to take collective action was in doubt. Leaders have gathered for the final day of the summit amid uncertainty over the shape of any eventual deal.

A draft political agreement drawn up by a small group of countries was rejected during overnight discussions.

In his speech at the conference, President Jacob Zuma echoed Obama’s sentiments.

He said leaders needed to move with speed to finalise the areas of disagreement, in order to conclude a legally binding agreement for the sake of future generations.

Zuma reminded delegates that they had to seize their historical responsibility to act now to safeguard the future of humanity and the planet it inhabits.

Also in Copenhagen, Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo said the global battle for climate change would be won or lost at local level.

Speaking at an international conference organised by Local Governments for Sustainability, Masondo said it was unrealistic and unjust to expect communities and their local governments to carry the burden of climate change response on their own.

He said local government needed appropriate financing and capacity building mechanisms.

Masondo is the co-president of United Cities and Local Government, the representative global forum for municipalities.