Press release - July 28, 2005
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
seekingto protect the interests of their domestic fossil fuel
industries andto deflect criticism for their total failure to
address climate change.Following such a strategy could wreak untold
harm on the mostvulnerable - many of whom are living in the very
region from which thisabsurd pact was issued.
Up to 70-80% of global emissions must be reduced by
industrialisedcountries by mid-century in order to avoid
catastrophic climate change.Voluntary technology agreements,
negotiated by the world's worstpolluters, are not going to get us
there.
152 countries have now ratified the Kyoto Protocol, which
containslegally binding emissions cuts for industrialized countries
for theperiod from 2008-2012 (the first commitment period) and
negotiationsfor the second and subsequent commitment begin in
earnest later thisyear in Montreal. This 'pact' looks like yet
another attempt by the USand Australia to derail these negotiations
and condemn futuregenerations to a world ravaged by climate
change.
Other contacts: Stephanie Tunmore, Greenpeace International climate campaigner, + 44 7796 94 74 51Cecilia Goin, Greenpeace International media officer, + 31 6 212 96 908
Exp. contact date: 2005-08-01 00:00:00