"New Zealand should be ashamed that it shied away from
committing to climate action that would have ensured the survival
of the region's small island nations," said Greenpeace Political
Adviser Geoff Keey from Bonn.
This week, the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS),
representing many of the nations most vulnerable to climate change,
called for industrialised countries to commit to slashing their
greenhouse emissions by more than 40% over the next decade.
The latest science presented at the climate talks shows this is
the minimum emission reduction required to ensure the survival of
small island states.
"As the climate talks in Bonn limped to a close overnight, it
became clear that Heads of State must take personal responsibility
for progressing negotiations, as only then will there be a
possibility of getting a good deal at the Copenhagen Climate Summit
in December," said Keey.
"John Key needs to step in and take responsibility for the way
in which the New Zealand delegation is behaving. Along with Russia
and the Ukraine, New Zealand has refused to put forward a proposed
national emission reduction target for the medium term. This
position is contributing to the glacial pace in which the talks are
proceeding.
"As the world's ice caps continue to melt at alarming rates, New
Zealand continues to drag its heels and plead special treatment.
This must change. It's getting embarrassing; we're not climate
leaders, we're not even playing our part, we're laggards."
"Unless John Key thinks he can walk on water, he needs to start
engaging in this negotiating process and demand a response that
guarantees survival for our neighbouring island states.
There was little or no formal progress made on key issues and
decisions at Bonn. "Heads of State need to give these talks some
urgently needed leadership and direction if we are to avert
catastrophic climate change," Keey said.
"New Zealand must come back to the process with a target of 40
per cent by 2020 in June and along with the rest of the
industrialised world knuckle down and close the gap between what
it's offering and what the science shows is needed."
Other contacts: Geoff Keey, Greenpeace Political Adviser in Bonn – 021 504 486
Kathy Cumming (Media and Communications) 021 495 216
Notes: (*) SURVIVAL = 40%
Exp. contact date: 2010-03-06 00:00:00