COP15 turns into cop out by world leaders - Lyon

10.36.44pm GMT Fri 18th Dec 2009

Commenting after at the conclusion of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland George Lyon said:

"What was heralded as the last chance to save the planet has become a rushed attempt by world leaders to save face.

"The Accord that has been agreed by world leaders has no legally binding targets, no transparency to monitor progress towards the domestic targets set, and no target date for finalising a real global deal in the future.

"COP15 has turned into a cop out. No matter how much they spin it, world leaders cannot, in good conscience, claim that this is a 'meaningful agreement', although you could concede that it is a small step in the right direction given the potential for a complete collapse of talks.

"People, like the thousands of Scots who marched in the Wave protests, have every right to feel angered by the actions of those who they tasked with reaching a global solution to a global problem."