|
|
- Info
1207
|
friends of the earth international
press release
wednesday 7th december 2005
ministers in montreal must rescue climate
talks
Ministers arriving in Montreal for the UN
Climate Talks must push ahead for
international action and not allow the US
administration to hold the world hostage,
Friends of the Earth urged today (Wednesday
7th December). The world’s biggest
polluter has refused to enter in to dialogue
on future action on tackling climate change
at the talks and has walked away from efforts
by other countries to bring it on board.
Friends of the Earth International is urging
Minister Dion as president of the talks, and
Margaret Beckett, UK Secretary of State for
the Environment, negotiating here on behalf
of the EU, to strive for concrete outcomes
from these talks. It is calling for a
commitment to a clear timetable and process
for future negotiations under the Kyoto
Protocol. This means abandoning the
flawed strategy of trying to bring the US on
board.
The environmental campaign group also wants
to see industrialised countries recognise
their responsibilities under the Kyoto
Protocol and commit to deepening their
emissions cuts as well as providing financial
support for the developing countries to
embark on a clean development path.
Speaking in Montreal, Friends of the Earth
International Vice Chair Tony Juniper
said:
“Ministers must use the next few days to aim
for a historic breakthrough on taking forward
action under the Kyoto Protocol. People
expect their governments to act – and that
means industrialised countries must commit to
a clear timeline for developing new targets
and action by 2008, ready for implementation
in the second phase of the Protocol in
2013.
“By reaching such an agreement, countries
negotiating here will be sending a clear
signal that low carbon economies are the
future. These talks have seen positive moves
from developing countries to face up to the
challenge of tackling climate change.
But the emerging economies must also be given
the support and assistance they need to move
down a sustainable energy track.”
Current funding mechanisms for the least
developed countries do not match the level of
need and many developed countries have failed
to pay in the amounts promised.
Assistance is also needed in the form of
pilot projects to show that sustainable
energy solutions are a practical option for
developing economies.
Commenting on the position of the UK
Government, which currently holds the
presidency of the European Union, Tony
Juniper added:
“These talks are a key test of the UK and
the EU’s commitment to tackling climate
change. They have rightly wanted to
bring the United States on board – but the
sad reality is that the current
administration is not interested in
addressing the problem. Action is
already happening in America, with business
and local government moving forward.
The world must move ahead in the expectation
that future US governments will be more
willing to join in.”
Friends of the Earth International’s giant
climate mosaic – the world cannot wait – is
displayed outside the conference centre,
depicting messages from individuals around
the world.
For images of the mosaic see
www.foei.org
and
www.foe.co.uk/resource/images/cop11_montreal
Background information:
www.foe.co.uk/resource/media_briefing/montrealclimatetalks.pdf
UNFCCC Climate Change Conference Official
Site:
http://unfccc.int/meetings/cop_11/items/3394.php
Contact:
Catherine Pearce, Friends of the Earth
International Climate Campaigner + 1 347 992
2505
Helen Burley, Friends of the Earth Media
Officer +1 201 954 5317 or + 44 7778 069930
|
|
|
|
-
For media inquires contact Niccolo Sarno, FoEI media coordinator.
Tel: +31-20-6221369 (Office landline in Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
If you wish to receive our press releases by email please contact
media [at] foei.org
|
