On December 7, world leaders will gather in Copenhagen, Denmark, to respond to one of the greatest challenges facing humanity: climate change and sustainable economic growth. But how to protect the planet and create a green economy that will lead to long-term prosperity? The negotiations in Copenhagen will need to answer this question.

Reaching a deal by the time the meeting ends on December 18 will depend not only on political negotiations but also on public pressure from around the globe. Public support must be galvanized. To do this, the United Nations has launched “Seal the Deal”, a campaign that encourages users to sign an online, global petition which will be presented to world leaders. The petition will serve as a reminder to negotiate a fair, balanced and effective agreement in Copenhagen, and to seal a deal to power green growth, protect the planet and build a more sustainable, prosperous global economy.

The Copenhagen agreement needs to deliver on at least five points:

• What industrialized countries will do, through individual targets, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
• What developing countries will do to limit the growth of their emissions;
• On finance, since developing countries cannot be expected to act on this issue without financial support;
• On governance, there needs to be an efficient institutional mechanism for disbursing these funds and an equitable, accountable governance structure;
• A framework must be established that will bolster the climate resilience of vulnerable countries and protect lives and livelihoods.

UNWTO promotes tourism and travel as a leader in the transformation towards a Green Economy in line with the Davos Declaration Process to raise the profile of climate change and lead a concerted industry response.

For more information: www.sealthedeal2009.org