International Institute for Environment and Development 
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| International Institute for Environment and Development |
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December 08 , 2005 |
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Don't let Bush torpedo a strong deal on climate change, says UK think-tank The International Institute for Environment & Development (IIED) today urged climate change negotiators in Montreal not to be sidetracked by US intransigence and to forge ahead with designing a legally-binding deal for radical cuts in greenhouse emissions. IIED Director Camilla Toulmin said: "The Bush administration is isolated at home and abroad. Negotiators have bust a gut to engage the US, only for even the most modest olive branches to be rejected. The position of the US administration is untenable and, medium-term, there is little doubt that it will shift towards the mainstream. But the challenge facing negotiators now is to lay rock solid foundations for a strong and binding deal post 2012. There can be no excuse for a weak agreement, Bush or no Bush." IIED chair Mary Robinson said: "The people of the world, particularly the poor who are the hardest hit by climate change, cannot be left to cross their fingers and hope that their leaders take action. Only a legally-binding deal with clear targets will force the pace of change and maintain public confidence. The US leadership will have to come round to this way of thinking sooner or later." Holding the Presidency of the European Union, the UK plays a pivotal role in the final ministerial negotiations in Montreal. IIED welcomes the tougher line taken by UK Enviroment Secretary Margaret Beckett in recent days. IIED Director Camilla Toulmin said: "UK ministers are starting to talk the right talk after a disappointing few months of mixed policy messages. We need the UK to show determined global leadership." IIED wants EU governments to build on the existing Kyoto protocol, still in its infancy, and strike an even stronger deal to bring deeper cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by rich countries when the first commitment phase ends in 2012. Legally-binding targets, the core principle that makes the Kyoto protocol effective, should not be ditched. A sub-standard agreement to get the current United States administration on board would be a backward step. Several states and cities within the US are already recognising the urgent need to adopt a Kyoto type approach. IIED believes that the key to the big industrialising nations, such as China and Brazil, accepting mandatory but fair emissions caps in the future is for climate change negotiations to produce a substantial "development dividend". IIED Director Camilla Toulmin said: "With the stakes so high, development in the 21st century must take a sustainable, low-carbon path. But the new deal on climate change must be a fair one to succeed. Rich countries will have to cough up significant new cash to support the poor in adapting to the changing climate and to leapfrog dirty development. And they must lead by example by making big strides to clean up their own backyard." IIED is critical of the emphasis on technology development rather than legally-binding targets. Camilla Toulmin said: "Technology is vital to help us achieve our targets. But it cannot be a substitute for a binding agreement that forces the necessary cuts in emissions at the urgent pace required. These talks are about crucial political agreements not technological quick fixes."For further information Tony Samphier on +44 208 671 2911 Liz Carlile on +44 207 388 2117 Notes to editors IIED spokespeople are available in Montreal. IIED has organised an open letter to UK Prime Minister Tony Blair supported by a broad group of scientists, politicians and policy experts http://www.iied.org/mediaroom/releases/231105.html IIED and other organisations have published two reports on the impact of climate change on international development: Up in smoke? http://www.iied.org/pubs/display.php?o=9512IIED Africa: up in smoke? http://www.iied.org/pubs/display.php?o=9560IIED The International Institute for Environment & Development (IIED) is a London-based think-tank working for policy solutions that both sustain the environment and reduce world poverty. www.iied.org
Copyright © 2005 International Institute for Environment and Development. |
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