Graham Watson MEP

Watson calls for EU to lead 'coalition of the willing' on climate

Published on Thursday 19th January 2012

South West England and Gibraltar Liberal Democrat MEP and President of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform party Sir Graham Watson has, in a European Parliament debate on the Durban climate talks in Strasbourg, warned climate action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard that a halo is only ever 25cm away from being a noose.

Graham, who was in Durban himself, is Chairman of a global network of MPs and MEPs from all mainstream political parties working to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy called the Climate Parliament.

Speaking after the European Parliament debate, Graham Watson said:

"The Durban platform is a step towards the responsible stewardship of our planet. But only a step."

"Commissioner Hedegaard and the EU team as a whole indeed emerged from the negotiations as the climate's saviour, the heroes of Durban. But a halo is only ever 25cm from being a noose."

Echoing the Commissioner's intention to continue her outreach to Pacific islands, the developing world and even the US, Graham continued:

"The EU needs to continue to build and hold together a coalition of the willing on climate. The 'War on CO2' is the new 'War on Terror'. And our greatest ally may yet be China, which just yesterday warned of the threat global warming poses to its food security and business heartlands."

ENDS

Note to editors

Sir Graham's speech can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8rT0RMMj3I&feature=youtu.be