Globe G8 + 5 Legislators Forum

The basic science of climate change is no longer disputed. Human activity is contributing to global warming and we must act urgently if we are to have a chance at avoiding dangerous climate change.

There is growing concern about a range of impacts including, in particular, relatively abrupt sea-level rise occurring as a result of ice sheet disintegration.

We must continue to study climate change and its impacts, but this must happen alongside practical action to change our emissions trajectory, i.e. stop, slow and reverse the upward trend in global emissions.

The G8+5 Climate Change Dialogue was launched in London February 2006 with the support of the UK Prime Minister, the German Government, the Chinese National People's Congress and the World Bank.

The G8+5 Climate Change Dialogue directly shadows the G8 Heads of States Summits as well as the meetings of the Gleneagles Dialogue with the aim to provide a forum outside of formal international negotiating structures for legislators, senior business leaders and other key decision makers to discuss a 2012 climate change agreement - importantly allowing participants to contribute in confidence and thus address particular areas of contention without the restraint of a formal government negotiating position.

The G8+5 Climate Change Dialogue is not part of any formal negotiations but a separate international dialogue between Members of Parliament (legislators in China's case), business leaders and civil society representatives from the G8 and +5 countries of China, India, Mexico, Brazil and South Africa.

The G8+5 Climate Change Dialogue has established three Working Groups that directly mirror the Working Groups of the G8+ Group of Energy & Environment Ministers (1. Development & Transfer of Technology, 2. Market Mechanisms & Economics and 3. Adaptation)

The G8+5 Climate Change Dialogue has been organized by GLOBE International (Global Legislators Organization for a Balanced Environment). GLOBE is a non-partisan international legislators organization with a remit to facilitate discussions / dialogue between like-minded legislators on environment related issues.

The current President of GLOBE International is GLOBE UK. GLOBE UK is therefore overseeing the Dialogue and the delivery of it until the Japanese G8 Presidency.

In order to ensure that the G8+5 Climate Change Dialogue has international ownership GLOBE UK have established an International Advisory Board which comprises up to 2 Members of Parliament from each G8 and +5 country as well as business and government representatives. The International Advisory Board comprises of the Honourable Bryon Wilfert, P.C., M.P. and Mr. Bob Mills.

It is very important for Canada to live up to its international obligations on Climate Change. According to Canada's Environment Commissioner's report on climate change, programs operating by the previous government were moving in the right direction with Project Green in 2005. It is unfortunate that in the last year the Conservative government has lost sight of the significance of Climate Change in Canada and around the world.

Since 2006 the Globe G8 + 5 Legislators have held meetings in London, Beijing, and Mexico. The next meetings will be held in Washington from February 14-15, 2007.

GLOBE International / the G8+5 Climate Change Dialogue is keen to establish a GLOBE Canada to facilitate the contribution of Canadian Members of Parliament to the Legislators Forum's. GLOBE Canada will facilitate the 5 members from the Canadian Parliament that will participate in the G8+5 Climate Change Dialogue.

Public awareness, understanding and support are key if we are to make progress politically, as well as to create markets for new technologies. Legislators have an essential role to play in mobilizing, educating and listening to stakeholders and local communities, as well as dealing with national governments and industry. Individuals must be encouraged with real choices and incentives to adopt sustainable lifestyles.