Climate Alliance supports Yasuní Initiative to save Ecuadorian rain forest

Press release, 3 March 2010

Photo (from left to right): Peter Molnar, Director of Climate Alliance Austria, Diego Stacey-Moreno, ambassador of Ecuador in Vienna, Silke Lunnebach, European Secretariat of Climate Alliance, Dietmar Mirkes of ASTM (Action Solidarité Tiers Monde) / Climate Alliance Luxembourg and Tomas Ruzicka of Nadace Partnerstvi (Czech association for environment partnership) during the handing over of the letter for president Correa

The rainforest with one of the world’s greatest biodiversity or oil for 11 days?

On Wednesday in Vienna, Climate Alliance handed over a declaration of support to the ambassador of Ecuador, Diego Stacey-Moreno. At the same time, Climate Alliance as well as partner organisations from Luxembourg, Austria and the Czech Republic demanded from the EU states to support the initiative.
The Yasuní rain forest in Ecuador could be a showcase project for the exit of fossil energy sources. In June 2007, the government of Ecuador (member of OPEC) suggested to keep the about 900 million barrels of oil, which are discovered in the Yasuní National Park in the country’s northeast, in the soil if half of the expected profits will be paid by the international community. The quantity of 900 million barrels of oil matches the worldwide need for 11 days.
The initiative was started by the Ecuadorian civil society and the indigenous organisations of the affected region. For years, they are fighting against the destroying oil production in the Amazon rainforest. Since then, a team under the leadership of the previous Ecuadorian foreign minister Falconí tries to convince the most important industrialized countries of the initiative and to procure money for the ITT Trust Fond under the patronage of the development programme of the UNO (ITT is the abbreviation for the area Ishpingo-Tambococha-Tiputini in the Yasuní National Park).

The planned contract signing failed

At the Climate Conference in Copenhagen (COP 15), the signing of the contract for the creation of the UN trust fund was planned. In the nick of time, the Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa refused to sign the contract. He quoted, that the Ecuadorian sovereignty was called into question regarding to the planned division of the money. The foreign minister as well as parts of his negotiation team has resigned. But the great national and international reaction showed a broad support for the Yasuní-ITT initiative.

Climate Alliance travelled to Ecuador

In September 2009, a delegation tour of Climate Alliance with representatives from Germany, Luxembourg, Hungary, Czech Republic and Austria visited the Ecuadorian rain forest, already partly destroyed by the oil production, and the City of Coca, located at the border of the Yasuní National Park. During the discussion with the Mayoress Anita Rivas and the local indigenous organisations, the hope for this initiative and for a "post-oil" development was evident. The expectations from the financial profits are: to preserve the unique biodiversity of the rainforest, to protect the local indigenous communities and to support a sustainable tourism in this region.

Climate Alliances challenges the EU member states

Climate Alliance challenges the EU member states to signalize their readiness to support the approach of the Ecuadorian government – financially and ideologically. The initiative contains many innovative elements. It could be pilot project for a fund for forest protection, which was discussed during the preparation of the Climate Conference in Copenhagen. Climate Alliance supports the direct link of climate protection, preservation of the rainforest and ensuring of the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Yasuní is not only an area with extraordinary high biodiversity but also home of various indigenous communities. Among them two indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation. Oil production in their living space would be their death sentence.
The "Copenhagen Accord" includes a declaration of intent of industrial countries to support developing countries with 30 billion dollars per year until 2012 and with 100 billion dollars per year by 2020 with their climate protection and adaptation measures. The Yasuní approach is a current and urgent example how this supporting promise in writing could become a tangible result.

Open letter to President Correa

Until now, Germany, Spain, Belgium, France and Sweden announced expected 3.5 billion dollars within 10 years. For decades Climate Alliance and its partner organizations tie climate protection in Europe and preservation of the rainforest in cooperation with the Indigenous Peoples. Further EU member states are called to support the Yasuní approach. In an open letter the president of Ecuador is asked to stand by the Yasuní approach.

Download: here

Source of the photo: Climate Alliance Austria

Further information:
Silke Lunnebach, Climate Alliance
Telefon: +49 69 71 71 39-32
s.lunnebach(at)climatealliance.org

The Climate Alliance of European Cities with the Indigenous Rainforest Peoples / Alianza del Clima e. V. is Europe's largest city network for climate protection and aims for the preservation of the global climate.
Since 20 years, the organisation supports its more than 1,500 members in reaching their self-commitment: to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 10 % every 5 years. The important milestone of halving per capita emissions (baseline year 1990) shall be achieved at the latest in 2030.