Disappointing Inaction by Industrialized Countries at the Climate Talks

Friends of the Earth International expresses deep disappointment with the outcomes of the Poznan climate talks, arguing that Annex I countries have prioritized 'get-out-clauses' and offsetting schemes over genuine emission reductions. The organization calls for a minimum 40% reduction in emissions below 1990 levels by 2020 and warns that the REDD mechanism risks undermining the rights of Indigenous peoples and biodiversity if it fails to distinguish natural forests from monoculture plantations.

• Friends of the Earth asserts that industrialized Annex I countries have failed to meet basic obligations and have instead focused negotiating time on creating loopholes and offsetting schemes rather than reducing global industrial, transport, and lifestyle emissions.
• The organization demands that Annex I countries commit to reducing emissions by at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2020 and provide clean technology and finance to support a just transition in developing countries.
• The negotiations regarding Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) are criticized for failing to protect the rights of local communities and Indigenous peoples, and for not distinguishing between natural forests and monoculture tree plantations.
• Friends of the Earth argues that industrialized nations are unfairly shifting blame for climate inaction onto a small number of developing countries, specifically China and India.

APA

Horner, K. (2008). Disappointing Inaction by Industrialized Countries at the Climate Talks. Friends of the Earth. https://foe.org/blog/2008-12-disappointing-inaction-by-industrialized-countries-a/

Chicago

Horner, Kate. Disappointing Inaction by Industrialized Countries at the Climate Talks. Friends of the Earth, 2008. https://foe.org/blog/2008-12-disappointing-inaction-by-industrialized-countries-a/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Horner |first1=Kate |title=Disappointing Inaction by Industrialized Countries at the Climate Talks |publisher=Friends of the Earth |date=12 December 2008 |url=https://foe.org/blog/2008-12-disappointing-inaction-by-industrialized-countries-a/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{horner2008disappointing, author = {Horner, Kate}, title = {{Disappointing Inaction by Industrialized Countries at the Climate Talks}}, publisher = {Friends of the Earth}, year = {2008}, month = dec, url = {https://foe.org/blog/2008-12-disappointing-inaction-by-industrialized-countries-a/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }