G8 SUMMIT FAILS TO MAKE COMMITMENTS TO PROTECT THE CLIMATE

22 July 2001

Genoa, Italy - Greenpeace condemned the final outcome of the Summit of the G8 Heads of Government as a failure to protect the global environment from climate change.

The position of the US is well known, and the final communiqué acknowledges the disagreement between the different members of the G8. However, the positions of Canada and Japan also threaten to wreck the treaty.

The Canadian Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, stated that Canada wants credits for nuclear power and more credits for tree planting as sinks for carbon dioxide instead of taking steps to reduce industrial emissions. Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, stated that they want the Kyoto Climate Treaty ratified by 2002. However, it is apparent that Japan is stalling on making a commitment, threatening any agreement in Bonn.

“At the climate talks in Bonn, Canada, Japan and Australia have got more than they could reasonably expect in terms of concessions from the EU, G-77 and the other countries here who are serious about climate protection. They can no longer hide behind the US, and they have no excuse not to move ahead with this agreement,” said Paul Horsman, Greenpeace Climate Campaigner.

“Nearly all the countries of the world with the exception of the US, Canada, Australia and Japan currently meeting in Bonn want an agreement to protect the climate – the agreement is threatened by the delay tactics of those countries who are putting their own corporate and financial interests above that of the global environment,” he concluded.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
In Genoa: Paul Horsman, ++447801 212 990
Domitilla Senni, ++39 348 3988606

In Bonn: Steve Sawyer +31 653504715;
Susan Cavanagh ++31 621296910

In Amsterdam: Gina Sanchez, ++31627000064