Greenpeace on Six Nation Climate Change 'Pact'
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Greenpeace July 28, 2005
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Responding to the recent announcement by the USA of a six nation 'pact'
on climate change, Greenpeace Climate Campaigner Stephanie Tunmore said:
The pact, rather than saving the climate, is nothing more than a trade
agreement in energy technologies between the countries in question. It
is entirely voluntary and does not even mention greenhouse gas emissions
reductions. The best option to cope with climate change is to increase
energy efficiency and invest in renewable energy.
Unfortunately, it seems likely that Mr Bush and Mr Howard are seeking to
protect the interests of their domestic fossil fuel industries and to
deflect criticism for their total failure to address climate change.
Following such a strategy could wreak untold harm on the most vulnerable
- many of whom are living in the very region from which this absurd pact
was issued.
Up to 70-80% of global emissions must be reduced by industrialised
countries by mid-century in order to avoid catastrophic climate change.
Voluntary technology agreements, negotiated by the world's worst
polluters, are not going to get us there.
152 countries have now ratified the Kyoto Protocol, which contains
legally binding emissions cuts for industrialized countries for the
period from 2008-2012 (the first commitment period) and negotiations for
the second and subsequent commitment begin in earnest later this year in
Montreal. This 'pact' looks like yet another attempt by the US and
Australia to derail these negotiations and condemn future generations to
a world ravaged by climate change.
--
Cecilia Goin
Media Officer
Greenpeace International
Ottho Heldringstraat 5
1066 AZ Amsterdam
The Netherlands
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Source: Greenpeace
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