Japan won’t sign climate treaty without Bush – FOE calls on Blair to help save Protocol
July 2, 2001 – The Kyoto climate agreement is in serious jeopardy after it was reported yesterday that the Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, will not sign the Protocol without US participation. FOE is calling on Tony Blair to put intense pressure on Mr Koizumi to save the treaty when they meet in London today (Monday).
Yesterdayís Washington Post quotes the Japanese Prime Minister as saying “Presently, I do not have the intention of proceeding without the co-operation of the United States.” For the Kyoto Protocol to come into effect, it must be ratified by 55 nations and 55% of industrialised nations climate changing emissions.
Kate Hampton, Climate campaigner for Friends of the Earth International said: “This is terrible news. Without Japanese participation the entire agreement is in serious trouble. Mr Blair must put intense pressure on Mr Koizumi when they meet. He must make it clear to the Japanese Prime Minister that the Kyoto Protocol is the only way forward. If this treaty fails the outlook for the planet is grim.”
More Information:
Kate Hampton 020 7566 17230774 896 7323 (mobile)
Neil Verlander (Press office) 020 7566 1649
