The US is the only G8 country not to have ratified the Kyoto
Protocoland the Bush administration has already tried to weaken
early drafts ofthe G8 communiqué, objecting to language that
includes statements thatthe world is warming, human activity is
mostly to blame and developedeconomies must lead the fight against
the problem.
"This summit provides an opportunity for leaders to reinforce
theircommitment to fighting climate change and map out a way ahead
but thereis a real risk that, in the quest for consensus, President
Bush willprevail and we will end up with a weak, compromised
statement thatcould set back climate protection by years," said
Stephanie Tunmore ofGreenpeace International. "The rest of the G8
countries should insiston a strong, clear message on climate
change, even if the result is a'split' communiqué."
"The US administration must not be allowed to derail
internationalaction on climate change," said Tony Juniper of
Friends of the Earth(FoE). "If we are to halt climate change and
deliver climatejustice we need action not words. The eyes of the
world are uponGleneagles this week and they want to see moral
leadership on cuttingemissions and ending poverty. Tony Blair and
other world leaders mustbe prepared to stand up to President Bush
on the issue of climate."
"Tony Blair often talks of the 'special relationship' between
the UKand the US. In this case that relationship has clearly let
himdown. He should cut his losses, abandon Bush and forge forward
with anambitious G8 minus 1 plan of action to save the climate"
said JenniferMorgan, Director of Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF)'s
Global ClimateChange Programme.
"Climate change is a reality for poor communities in Africa and
thelonger the G8 stall on taking action the more any progress on
makingpoverty history will be fatally undermined," said Farah la
Trobe ofTearfund.
John Lanchbery, Head of Climate Change Policy at the Royal
Society forthe Protection of Birds(RSPB) said: "Climate change is
alreadyaffecting the natural world, throughout the world, and the
impact onwildlife could be catastrophic. Attempts to reduce poverty
in Africaand climate change are inextricably linked; temperature
rises willbring increasing misery to many Africans and considerably
affectAfrican wildlife. There is no option but to recognise the
impact ofclimate and to help the poorest countries adapt to
it."
Greenpeace, WWF, FoE, RSPB and Tearfund believe that a strong
successful G8 communiqué on climate change would include:
* A clear statement that the G8 leaders accept thescientific
evidence for global warming and the fact that the majorityof the
warming is human-induced, that acknowledges the scale andurgency of
the problem;
* A clear political signal and signal to the
businesscommunity that that the G8 is committed to an expanded
system of carbontrading, linked with deeper cuts in emissions thus
ensuringcontinuation of the carbon markets after 2012.
* Agreement to implement the World Summit onSustainable
Development (WSSD) plan to help Africa prepare for, andmitigate
climate disasters at both a community and national level.
* Commitment that by 2008 all G8 countries'development
policies and programmes will be designed to ensure thatpoor people
in developing countries are less vulnerable to the impactsof
climate change.
Other contacts: Greenpeace: Louise Edge, Greenpeace UK press office, +44 7801 212993Friends of the Earth: Catherine Pearce, International Climate campaigner,+44(0)7811 283 641(m), Tony Juniper, vice chair FOE International, + 44 (0) 77123 843 207 (m) or Niccolo Sarno, Press Officer, FOEI (5 -8 July) +31-6-51005630 (m)TearFund: Sylvie White Press Officer on +44 7494 181414.RSPB: Cath Harris on + 44 7739 921464
Exp. contact date: 2005-07-10 00:00:00