11 november 2001
umbrella folds - sun
creeps up on marrakech climate deal
Friends of the Earth gave a cautious
welcome to the agreement adopted in Marrakech
- despite coordinated and persistent
obstruction by Japan, Canada and Russia (the
Umbrella Group).
The Marrakech deal preserves major
elements of the Bonn Agreement made in July,
providing no reason for countries not to go
ahead and ratify the Kyoto Protocol - and
leaving America isolated in its refusal to
face up to climate change.
The deal successfully secures the
compliance regime outlined in the Bonn
agreement, providing the Kyoto Protocol with
a strong enforcement system that includes
penalties and international oversight.
Unfortunately, under the Marrakech deal, the
link between the compliance regime and
eligibility to participate in carbon trading
is weak, but it remains part of the
compliance package.
The deal fudges rules on the use of sinks.
Domestic sink credits must be reported
annually and have a special classification,
guaranteeing transparency, but the quality of
reporting on domestic sinks is not an
eligibility criterion. Russia has won a near
doubling of its domestic sinks allowance. Due
to the contraction of its economy since the
collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia already
has a vast surplus of emissions credits to
sell, so-called hot air and these new credits
may flood the system.
Sinks projects in developing countries
will start soon but will be covered by
special rules, the terms of reference for
which will be defined at a workshop to be
held before the next set of negotiations in
2002. Given the negative impacts of
monoculture plantations on the environment,
local communities and indigenous people, it
is crucial that these rules are based on
sound science, are transparent and guarantee
adequate consultation and public
participation.
The talks failed to set out a road map for
future negotations or request action to
promote renewable energy worldwide in a
statement to the World Summit on Sustainable
Development (WSSD), scheduled to take place
in Johannesburg in 2002. This is
disappointing given the significance of
climate change to sustainable development.
The impacts of climate change are already
adversely affecting many poor communities
around the world, increasing global
inequality. It is crucial that these impacts
are considered within the wider context of
sustainable development.
Kate Hampton, Friends of the Earth
International s Climate Coordinator,
said:
"Governments have no choice but to ratify
the Kyoto Protocol. The science is stark -
drastic future cuts in emissions are vital
to prevent dangerous climate change and
this agreement is only the beginning. We
will hold countries to their commitments
and fight the use of treaty loopholes
country by country. Nine years after the
Rio Summit, Ministers have let the world
down by failing to address the real issues
in the message they are sending to
Johannesburg. "
Contact:
Kate Hampton (FOEI International Climate
Coordinator) (English/French/Spanish) +44 774
896 7323
Helen Burley (FOEI Press) +44 7778
356888
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