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7 november 2001
un climate talks show progress
Friends of the Earth today called on
Environment Ministers meeting in Marrakech to
adhere to the principles of the Bonn
Agreement reached in July’s climate talks -
or they will fail to make an impact on
dangerous climate change.
Ten days of discussions have seen some
progress in the negotiations - with
delegations yesterday agreeing a deal on
compliance, which preserves the compromise
reached in Bonn. But due to pressure from
Russia, the compliance
proceedings will not be fully transparent
with some information remaining
confidential.
Ministers must settle key outstanding
issues on “sinks”, eligibility to take part
in carbon trading mechanisms, and monitoring
and verification. Friends of the Earth is
calling on EU Ministers to increase pressure
on the Russian delegation, who are demanding
new concessions. We urge the Japanese
Environment Minister Kawaguchi to honour the
agreement made in Bonn.
Friends of the Earth welcomed a decision
by governments to hold a workshop dedicated
to in-depth analysis of the latest findings
from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change, despite obstruction by Saudi Arabia.
Such a decision paves the way for more
focused science-based round of negotiations
in the future.
Kate Hampton, speaking for Friends of the
Earth International, said:
“Finally we have seen some movement in the
climate talks, with last night’s deal on
compliance showing that when governments
stick to the Bonn accord, they can make
significant progress. Ministers must now
resist further backtracking by Japan and
Russia and work to tie-up the final deal,
making time for the crucial discussions on
how the fight against climate change
will be taken forward at the World Summit on
Sustainable Development in Johannesburg next
year.”
NB. A more detailed analysis is available
in a media update.
Contact:
Kate Hampton (English/French/Spanish): +44
774 896 7323
Helen Burley (press officer) +44 7778
356888
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