UN, IAA launch environment campaign Hopenhagen at Cannes

The United Nations and the International Advertising Association (IAA) along with other advertising, marketing and media agencies have launched Hopenhagen - a campaign that allows people across the world to engage with the UN Climate Change Conference (COP15) to be held in Copenhagen in December 2008.

Launched at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, Hopenhagen is a global marketing and communications initiative to generate public awareness and action on environmental issues around the world.

"Climate change is one of the epic challenges facing this and future generations. World leaders will come together for the Copenhagen climate change conference in December and every citizen of the world has a stake in the outcome. It is time to seal a deal. We need a global movement that mobilises real change," said UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon. "It is about global action for a global climate treaty and a better future for humankind," Ban added.

Delegates from 192 nations will meet in December in Copenhagen to approve a new international global climate treaty, which will take effect when the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.

Hopenhagen will complement the UN's 'Seal the Deal!' campaign, which calls on world leaders to "unite to find a solution to climate change that is fair, balanced, effective and science-based."

The campaign will place its advertisements at Cannes, and at London's Heathrow airport, Los Angeles' airport and at the John F Kennedy International airport.