Hopeful signals on board Climate Express

Cautious optimism that a new climate deal can be reached in Copenhagen was the overriding theme of the discussions on board the Climate Express, a symbolic train which carried more than 400 COP 15 delegates, civil society representatives and media from Brussels to Copenhagen on Saturday.
 
"We've had a lot of very hopeful signals in the past week or so," UNEP´s Executive Director, Achim Steiner, told the passengers during the closing on-board debate.
 
"The number of world leaders now planning to attend the climate talks is one such signal, but the responsibility to hold the leaders to account and to continue to apply intense pressure sits with civil society," Mr Steiner said. 
 
UNEP partnered with the International Union of Railways, WWF and the British Council to plan the Climate Express journey, which featured a novel on-board climate change conference as the electric train made its ways to the COP host city via Germany.  
 
Speaking on board, the head of WWF, Jim Leape, said a new climate change deal was possible. 
 
"I think Copenhagen presents the best political opportunity we've ever had to address the most important issue of our generation," Mr Leape said. 
 
"A new deal is in our grasp but we've got to make sure Heads of Government hear the demand for action from their constituents," he said.
 
The debates and presentations during the 13-hour journey ranged from the latest climate science to the UN REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) programme and the first test flight for a solar-powered aircraft, which took place this week.