G8 moves toward climate change deal

[Dreamer128]

08.07.2005 - 09:52 CET | By Lucia Kubosova

The G8 summit of the world's most industrialised countries is set to hammer out a compromise on climate change.

The leaders will adopt the final text today, Friday (8 July), due to the delay caused by the terrorist attacks on London yesterday.

The agreement will not suggest concrete cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, because of Washington's opposition to such a provision - similar to the internationally endorsed Kyoto protocol, in force since February 2005.

But the declaration will include a paragraph on the scientific evidence of climate change and will point to it as largely a result of human activity, previously also doubted by the US, media report.

It will also refer to the urgency of tackling the problem, while pointing out there are several ways to do so - not only by cutting emissions, but also with new technological solutions on "green" energy sources, such as wind or solar power.

Britain, France, Germany and Canada had been pressing for a stronger text, aiming to put pressure on the White House, because of its isolated position, but both sides are reported to have moved from their initial stance.

Some environmental lobbies suggest the G8 agreement will not prove crucial for tackling the contentious issue, as it does not include any concrete enforcing instruments.

Others argue it is still better to have a weak declaration of this kind, rather than nothing but the Kyoto protocol, which has been rejected by the US.

The final G8 text is to pave the way for a post-Kyoto framework for climate change, that would involve all the leading industrialised countries.

(EUObserver)

[Timber Loftis]

This is a treaty, and it must pass the Senate to become law here. Our executive branch (Clinton/Gore) signed Kyoto -- only to have 96 Senators tell them to stick it.

[John D Harris]

Sounds like real progress could be made on the issue, what is really incouraging(sp?) is that both sides have moved form their original positions. Unlike the whining and name calling about Kyoto, where it was not one of trying to meet in the middle but an all or nothing thing. Now the real fun will be to watch and see which side will whine and cry because they didn't get everything they wanted but were UNWILLING to let the otherside get even get anything they it is concerned about. Or will both sides say ok we tried to Meet and Address all the concerns and come to a reasonable agreement that took as close to EVERYTHING into account and not just "Our" specific couple of issues. That was and is the problem with Kyoto and it's supporters. Yes the USA is the world's largest energy user and the largest producer of polution, but if anybody takes the time to look at the figures (even the figures they like to use) they will see the USA has one of the lowest if not the lowest energy in polution out precentages on this entire planet. So ineffect Kyoto penalized one of the most efficeint cleanest soceities, instead of the dirtiest ones. Which makes ZERO sense if the goal is to clean-up the polution, But it make perfect sense if the goal is to drag down the top dog and to "Hale" with the enviroment.