Christian Aid is looking to the European Union to make the difference at climate talks in Durban – report on Saturday.
Government representatives are meeting in the South African city to negotiate a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which committed countries to binding carbon emission cuts and expires at the end of next year.
The talks have been gridlocked for much of the week but there are reports that government representatives may be close to reaching an agreement.
“The EU can force other countries’ hands by signing up to a second round of Kyoto commitments,” said Christian Aid’s climate talks expert Mohamed Adow.
He warned of a “terrifying future of climate disasters” if world governments delay agreement on climate change.
He said that a decision from the EU to stick with Kyoto would put huge political and moral pressure on other countries like Japan, the US, Russia and Australia.
“It would make it much harder for them to keep dodging legal commitments to protect our shared climate,” he said.
“It would also provide a huge injection of trust into the negotiations about how to close the emissions gap and inspire developing countries to play their part too.”
Mr Adow spoke as campaigners held a ‘re-commitment ceremony’ for the EU and Kyoto outside the International Conference Centre, where the climate talks are being held.
Kyoto, dressed as a bride, and the EU, dressed as a groom, reaffirmed their vows of loyalty and love with the help of a ‘vicar’ and two guests.
During the ceremony, passing conference delegates were given ‘Love Heart’ sweets carrying the message ‘I [heart] Kyoto’.
The celebration was organised by campaigners from APRODEV, a group of European faith-based development agencies which includes Christian Aid (UK), Church of Sweden and Norwegian Church Aid.