Happy 10th Birthday Kyoto

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY KYOTO

BALI (INDONESIA) December 11, 2007 — On the 10th anniversary of the agreement of the Kyoto Protocol, Friends of the Earth International urged industrialised countries to celebrate by announcing a commitment to agree further cuts in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 40 per cent by 2020.

The environmental group also warned that attempts by some countries to remove reduction targets from the current negotiations here in Bali could pose a serious threat to the future success of the talks.

Japan and Canada have indicated they are not prepared to even include targets for cuts in proposals currently on the table at this year’s UN climate talks.

Friends of the Earth International Vice Chair Tony Juniper said:

“Ten years on from Kyoto, the science of climate change is even more alarming. The conclusion couldn’t be clearer: urgent emissions reductions are needed now. Industrialised countries, whose economies have been bloated by the pollution that is causing climate change, must face up to this reality and signal their willingness to act. If the major polluters fail to take serious action now then millions of people will die.”

The Kyoto Protocol, agreed at UN climate talks in the Japanese city of Kyoto in 1997, is the only legally binding international agreement to tackle climate change by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. It entered into force in February 2005.

Friends of the Earth International wants to see industrialised countries:

committing to at least 40 per cent emissions reductions by 2020;
providing the money for adaptation measures in the developing world;
providing access to low cost and appropriate technology for developing countries to allow them to avoid making the carbon mistakes made in the developed world.

Governments are currently in Bali to discuss future action to tackle climate change beyond the first commitment phase of the Kyoto Protocol which covers the period from 2008 -12. A strong mandate for future negotiations is needed from these talks if the next round of emissions reductions is to be implemented and running from 2012 onwards.

Juniper continued:

“Suggestions that developing countries need to make legally binding commitments are outrageous. The rich countries that are most responsible for this problem have the means to take action. They must repay their climate debt: by cutting emissions themselves, helping others to adapt and by helping to build low carbon economies”.

ENDS

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Tony Juniper, Vice Chair, Friends of the Earth International, +62 813 389 69965 (indonesian number valid Dec. 1-14)

Stephanie Long, Friends of the Earth International Climate Campaign Coordinator tel + 62 813 389 68812 (indonesian number valid Dec. 1-14)

PRESS OFFICERS

Niccolo Sarno, Friends of the Earth International Media Coordinator +62-813-389-69973 (indonesian number valid Dec. 1-14)

Helen Burley, Friends of the Earth International Media Officer

+62-813-389-69937 (indonesian number valid Dec. 1-14)