David Cameron is irresponsible to omit climate change from his G8 priorities

The prime minister must use the leadership of the G8 as an opportunity to demonstrate that the UK can be taken seriously as a responsible player on the global stage.

It's one of greatest threats to global stability, yet climate change is nowhere to be found in the UK's G8 priorities.

The World Economic Forum published its Global Risks report this week, outlining what its analysis suggests are the biggest risks facing global economic stability in 2013.

At the top of the list is inaction on climate change, alongside disparities in income and the failure of governments to reduce their debts.

As the report points out, the fact that the top three risks are exactly the same as in 2012 reflects the tragic failure of policymakers across the globe to make progress on the major economic, environmental and social challenges of our time.

It also recognises that as long as the economy alone dominates the political agenda, the risk of irreversible ecological devastation grows ever greater – which in turn, poses a huge threat to economic stability.
The UK has an invaluable opportunity to show that it understands the nature of these risks as it takes over the presidency of the G8 group of nations.

While there are very real concerns that the G8 itself suffers from a lack of legitimacy, it is nonetheless the case that, over the next 12 months, we have an opportunity to play a key role in shaping multilateral action between the most powerful economies.

For David Cameron, this is a rare chance to rise above the petty squabbles of domestic politics and demonstrate that Britain is fit to provide leadership on the big global issues.

Yet when the prime minister set out his priorities for the UK's G8 presidency on the first day of the new year, climate change was not among them.

There was not a single mention of the rising temperatures and the extreme weather events that are already destabilising populations worldwide, fuelling conflict and increasing food prices and poverty.

Instead, as Cameron announced in a letter to the G8 leaders, the UK will focus on three key areas: tax, trade and transparency. In other words, open economies, open governments and open societies.

A fairer tax system and transparent governance are certainly worthy priorities. Indeed, both are absolutely crucial if nations are to deliver equality, prosperity and legitimacy for their people.

"Open economies" sounds rather more disturbing; the prime minister's desire to "unleash the power of the private sector" ringing alarm bells about this government's wrong-headed approach to aid and trade with developing countries.

But after a year that will be remembered for the devastation wreaked by hurricane Sandy, flooding in China and, of course, here at home, and raging wildfires in Australia, it's simply baffling – and irresponsible in the extreme – for the leader of the world's sixth-biggest economy to fail to assert his commitment to leading on climate change.

Despite confusing headlines this week............
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2013/jan/11/david-cameron-climate-change-g8?intcmp=122