The G8 countries (the world’s eight largest economies) account for 75% of the world’s carbon emissions. They are meeting in Italy next week for a warm up match, sorry, discussion, before the UN climate conference in Copenhagen this December. And guess who all eyes are on? That’s right, President Obama. Even Angela Merkel is saying so, in a sort of call to action, sort of pass the buck, sort of way.

Obama is fresh from a congress victory with his Climate Bill, and seems ready for some tough negotiating. For the first time ever, the US has indicated that it will commit to avoiding a 2°C global temperature rise through climate action – something Europe has been calling for and America avoiding. But India has proclaimed it won’t be part of any emissions reduction schemes. So it’s going to be an interesting one to watch. If Obama is on form, we may have a G8 meeting that actually achieves something.

This is a big test for Mr Obama, as it will set the tone for negotiation in December. Laying everyone’s cards on the table now will leave time for carefully persuading the laggers before Copenhagen.

Also wishing to make his mark is Gordon Brown, who is hoping to get industrialised nations to pledge $100 million in aid for sustainable and climate adaption initiatives in the developing world. He’s up against it as Italy has one of the worst records in aid, and has cut its budget by 56% for next year. The other 44% is going to Mr Berlosconi’s hair gel fund. Which, incidentally, is petroleum based and bad for the environment.

It’s a big call from Gordon, recognising as he does that climate change caused by the developed world will have the biggest impact on the developing world. It’ll be very interesting to see whether this has any leverage over India’s position as a developing county.

It’s time to get active
Don’t go boarding any coal ships yet, but lets face it, it’s unlikely anything of use will come out of the G8 meeting. So back to where it counts – us. In the run up to Copenhagen it’s the job of the British public to show that we want a strong and binding deal struck at the meeting. One that commits the world to serious change. No half measures. No greenwash. So lets start making our voices heard – if Gordon Brown goes to that meeting with the knowledge that vast numbers of the UK’s people want him to fight for the environment he may just have the guts to do it.

Our partners Friends of the Earth are running a campaign to avoid clouding the issue of climate action through offsetting, and are pushing direct action. Add your name to their petition.

Oh, and, you have switched to Good Energy, haven’t you? Thank goodness for that…

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