The final G8 agreement failed to support mandatory targets to
lower greenhouse gas emissions, saying only that the G8 would
"consider seriously" halving global emissions by 2050. Failure to
achieve deep emission reductions spells disaster for billions of
people around the globe.
"The G8 have failed to meet the climate change challenge," said
Dave Martin, climate coordinator for Greenpeace Canada. "Stephen
Harper made a significant contribution to this failure by backing
George Bush. He has lost all credibility by supporting a call for
urgent action at the G8, while refusing to support urgent action in
Canada to meet our Kyoto commitment."
Greenpeace, however, welcomed the fact that G8 have cleared the
path for the next round of binding emission cuts to be set at the
United Nations climate conference in Indonesia in December.
"On a positive note, the door is open for the UN to set binding
targets in December," said Martin. "For these negotiations to
succeed, the seven Kyoto members of the G8, including Canada,
should commit to reducing their emissions 30 per cent by 2020, and
80-90 per cent by 2050."
G8 and Harper climate scorecard
Here is an evaluation of the G8 Summit decision on climate
change - what was needed and what was done…
1. There is broad scientific consensus that in
order to prevent dangerous climate change, the global average
temperature increase (from pre-industrial times) must be kept as
far below two degrees Celsius as possible.
Verdict: Failed. The G8 reached no agreement.
While European Union publicly reaffirmed its commitment to this
goal, other countries failed to get on board. Stephen Harper has
refused to support this science-based rationale for tougher
emission reductions.
2. Global emissions must start falling within
the next 10-15 years, and be cut 50 per cent by 2050, from 1990
levels.
Verdict: Failed. No binding target was set.
3. Industrialized countries, including Canada,
must take the lead and commit themselves to 30 per cent cuts by
2020, and 80-90 per cent cuts by 2050 (from 1990 levels).
Verdict: Failed. No target was set. The G8 said
that industrialized countries must take the lead, but words are
meaningless without action. The seven Kyoto members of the G8 must
immediately make binding commitments to unilaterally cut their
emissions.
4. The G8 must clearly agree that the upcoming
UN climate negotiations in Indonesia in December will agree to a
formal mandate and timetable to secure the next round of binding
emission cuts under the Kyoto Protocol, by 2009 at the latest.
Verdict: Passed. The G8 committed to serious
negotiations at the UN, starting in December. Significantly, Bush's
attempt to set up a parallel process failed, and the US was forced
to concede that the UN is the only legitimate forum. An end-date
for the talks was set for 2009.
For more information, please
contact:
Jane Story, Communications Officer, Greenpeace Canada - cell:
416-930-9055
Dave Martin, Climate Coordinator, Greenpeace Canada - cell:
416-627-5004
Steven Guilbeault, Climate Campaigner, Greenpeace Canada - cell:
514-231-2650
Daniel Mittler, Climate Policy Expert, Greenpeace International
- cell: +49 171 876 5345
(in Heiligendamm)