|
friends of the earth
international
14 december 2004
media advisory
litigation warms up climate talks
buenos aires , argentina
. Legal cases to combat climate change are
not on the official agenda of the United
Nations (UN) talks on Climate Change in
Buenos Aires where ministers representing 189
nations meet December 15-17. But they are the
hottest issue behind the scenes.
Ten legal actions so far have been
announced around the world against
governments and companies -under several
different legal theories- in order to combat
climate change. These legal actions are
supported by the strong growing scientific
consensus on climate change. (1)
"We will see a much longer queue of
affected communities using the courts for
compensation and justice unless we see deep
cuts in greenhouse gas emissions," said
Catherine Pearce of Friends of the Earth
International in Buenos Aires . "European
countries must show greater leadership in
fighting climate change," she added.
This meeting is the first Climate Change
meeting since Russian ratification of The
Kyoto Climate Protocol, the only
international treaty aimed at reducing the
emissions of greenhouse gases.
The treaty will enter into force upon its
128 Parties on 16 February 2005 when thirty
industrialised nations will be legally bound
to meet quantitative targets for reducing or
limiting their greenhouse gas emissions.
The impacts of climate change are already
being felt around the world With increasing
severity. Despite this, greenhouse gas
emissions continue to rise. Friends of the
Earth believes the Kyoto Protocol is only the
first step in tackling climate change.
There is an urgent need for industrialized
countries to move forward With greater
emissions cuts and go beyond commitments
agreed under the Kyoto treaty.
for more information
contact:
Catherine Pearce, Friends of the Earth
International Climate Change Campaigner (in
Buenos Aires Dec 2-17) on +54 911 50040642
(from Buenos Aires dial 15 50040642) or
Niccolo Sarno, Friends of the Earth
International Press Officer (in Buenos Aires
December 12-17) + 54 911 540 17747 (from
Buenos Aires dial 15 540 17747) or
Roque Pedace, Friends of the Earth
Argentina (m) +54 911 40 875839 (from Buenos
Aires dial 15 40 875839) or
Yuri Onodera, Climate Campaigner, Friends
of the Earth Japan (in Buenos Aires December
3-17) +54-911-5378-3058 (from Buenos Aires 15
5378-3058)
Press Office Friends of the Earth in
London +44 (0)20 7566 1723 or
note to editors
(1) Science magazine Dec. 3, 2004 vol 306
"The Scientific Consensus on Climate
Change"
|
