Train from Kyoto to Copenhagen to Raise Awareness of Climate Change Ahead of Crucial UN Conference

Friday, 02 October 2009 06:44

The International Union of Railways (UIC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the global conservation organization WWF today launched the symbolic one-month and nearly 9,000 kilometre-long train journey from Kyoto to Copenhagen to document the impacts of climate change and raise awareness of low-carbon transport solutions. 

The project is done in partnership with the Seal the Deal! campaign led by the United Nations to galvanize political will and public support for reaching a comprehensive global climate agreement at the UN climate change conference (COP 15) in Copenhagen in December this year. 

Train operators from around the world will participate in the Train to Copenhagen campaign with the aim of raising awareness of transport's influence on climate change. 

The transport sector is major producer of CO2 emissions, already accounting for over one-fifth of global CO2 emissions. These emissions are projected to double within only 40 years. Railways are crucial in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and in developing sustainable transport systems. 

The campaign will kick off on 5 November with the UIC Climate Change and Rail Seminar in the Japanese city of Kyoto - the birthplace of the current Climate Change Protocol, the current commitment period of which is due to end in 2012. The message for COP15 participants will be carried to Copenhagen through a symbolic rail journey from Kyoto to Copenhagen. 

During the train journey through Russia, environmental experts and climate change campaigners will send eye-witness accounts of global warming signs underway. Siberia is a global climate change "hotspot", where thawing permafrost and melting peat bogs could slowly release billions of tons of methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere over the coming years. 

On 5 December in Brussels, the Climate Express will take on board more than 400 climate change negotiators, campaigners and other high-profile personalities going to Copenhagen to participate in COP 15, for a 12-hour on-track conference focusing on how we can solve the challenges posed by the transport sector with regard to global warming. 

On arrival to Copenhagen, the Climate Express, which will be powered by 100% renewable energy, will remain at Copenhagen Central Station throughout the two-week conference, serving as a mobile exhibition open to the public about low-carbon transport solutions. 

Check your local railway company for more information or www.traintocopenhagen.org

The Climate Express project is launched in conjunction with Global Climate Week (21-25 September) organized by the United Nations (http://www.sealthedeal2009.org/global-climate-week) and the UIC Energy Efficient Days 2009 (23-25 September) in Tours, France (http://www.energy-efficiency-days.org). 

A number of UIC members are undertaking local Train to Copenhagen campaigns facilitating transportation to the COP15 for national delegations and other participants, including special fares.