Co-op mobilises climate change protestors

MANCHESTER’S ethical giant, Co-operative Group, had today began mobilising its members and customers to take part in the UK’s biggest ever climate change protest.

The group said it will be the largest mobilisation of consumers in recent times and has started chartering trains and coaches to take thousands of its customers and members from around the country to ‘The Wave’.

It is a march being organised by The Stop Climate Chaos Coalition on Saturday December 5, and coincides with the start of the United Nations Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen.

The Co-operative said the mobilisation is its most radical contribution yet to combating climate change and is motivated by the belief that the Copenhagen discussions may be the last chance for the world to agree a robust deal.

Paul Monaghan, head of social goals and sustainability at the Co-operative Group, said: “As a business with commercial interests in farming, food and finance, we are deeply concerned that an ambitious and fair deal be agreed in Copenhagen.

“Previously, our members have successfully lobbied government for a meaningful Climate Change Act and targets for 2050. Now we are urging the UK Government to take this to the international stage.

“That is why The Co-operative is calling for not only tough and binding reduction targets for 2020 but also the allocation of substantial resources to enable the developing world to play its part – some $200bn per annum.”