Nature Trust disappointed at Copenhagen summit outcome

Nature Trust Malta is disappointed by the outcome of the climate change summit in Copenhagen, and is urging the government and Maltese MEPs to ensure the EU pressures big countries to secure an agreement.

The NGO said in a statement world leaders had again failed to understand the importance and urgency of the situation.

"The five big countries - the US, Brazil, South Africa, China and India - have completely ignored the whole issue and put their interests before the common good of the planet," it said. The agreement was stronger on financial aid to the developing polluters, but it was not binding, and set no urgent deadline to sign a real climate treaty, it added.

It was ironic that while civil society and environmental NGOs seemed greatly concerned with the future, some world leaders were simply making excuses, Nature Trust said.

"While big countries may face problems, it is the small ones that will face the hardship, especially islands like Malta and Cyprus, where a rise in water levels will make land use a major problem," it said.

Nature Trust acknowledged that EU members states did try to secure a better deal, but it felt they had not made a strong case and did not assume the leadership people were expecting.