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"Train to Copenhagen," a one-month and 9,000 kilometer-long train journey from Kyoto to Copenhagen, came to its climax on Saturday as the Climate Express arrived at the central station of the Danish capital city.

A cameraman shoots the "Climate Express" in Brussels, capital of Belgium, Dec. 5, 2009. The "Climate Express" arrived in Copenhagen, where the upcoming climate summit would be held, via Cologne and Hamburg after it departed from Brussels.[Xinhua]

The International Union of Railways (UIC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the global conservation organization WWF launched the symbolic journey in late September to document the impacts of climate change and raise awareness of low-carbon transport solutions.

The project is done in partnership with the "Seal the Deal!" campaign led by the UN to galvanize political will and public support for reaching a comprehensive global climate agreement at the UN climate change conference (COP 15) in Copenhagen which will kick off on Monday.

"Today no one questions the importance of fighting climate change. It is a global issue. We are all concerned as individuals and as business players. Emissions from transport are growing fast, and as representatives of the industry we have a special responsibility to fulfill. The rail sector as the low carbon transport mode is ready to be part of the solution," said Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, Director General of UIC.

Train operators from around the world participated in the Train to Copenhagen campaign with the aim of raising awareness of transport's influence on climate change.

The transport sector is a major producer of CO2 emissions, already accounting for over one-fifth of global CO2 emissions. These emissions are projected to double within only 40 years.

Railways are crucial in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and in developing sustainable transport systems.

"The Train to Copenhagen is symbolic of the long journey we have taken in addressing climate change since Kyoto. We know where we are heading, but world leaders need to add much more steam to guarantee a fair, ambitious, and binding climate deal in Copenhagen," said Kim Carstensen, Leader of WWF's Global Climate Initiative.

Chairman of China's Vanke Group Wang Shi, a representative of Chinese enterprisers, speaks on the "Climate Express" after its departure from Brussels, capital of Belgium, Dec. 5, 2009.[Xinhua]

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