EDF Applauds Sec. Clinton

Environmental Defense Fund praised U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for insisting on a commitment to address transparency as part of a new global climate change agreement. Secretary Clinton said transparency was a “deal breaker” and that international financing efforts are contingent on a commitment to address transparency in any political agreement that comes out of Copenhagen.

“We applaud Secretary Clinton for her sharp focus on the need for a commitment to address transparency in the Copenhagen agreement,” said Fred Krupp, executive director Environmental Defense Fund, a non-profit environmental group. “Transparency—knowing whether countries are living up to their commitments—is the linchpin of an effective global effort.”

“The details of how we measure progress and hold countries accountable to their commitments can be worked out over the coming months,” said Krupp. “The single most critical goal here in Copenhagen is a commitment by all nations to address transparency.”

“Secretary Clinton said the $100 billion pledge is contingenty on that commitment to address transparency,” added Krupp. “The outlines of an agreement are taking shape. But they could be erased if transparency is blocked or diluted.”

Contact: Tony Kreindler, tkreindler@edf.org, +1-202-445-8108

Molly Moore, molly@sandersonstrategies.com, +45-52-68-30-95, +1-240-393-0686