G8 Summit Set to Avoid Meaningful Action on Climate Change
Fri., May 27, 2005. 18:06.
A leaked G8 document suggests a weak approach to climate change at the Summit in July. Greens said that the Scottish Parliament should send a strong message to G8 leaders that they would not be welcome in Scotland unless they were prepared to take climate change and the poverty it will cause seriously.
Commenting on a leaked G8 document(1) which suggests a weak approach to climate change in preparation for the Summit in July, Greens said that the Scottish Parliament should send a strong message to G8 leaders that they would not be welcome in Scotland unless they were prepared to take climate change and the poverty it will cause seriously.
Greens said it was vital that Scotland sends a message to G8 leaders to demand a tougher approach to reducing carbon emissions and to prioritise renewable energy development.
Mark Ruskell MSP, Green Speaker on the Environment and Deputy-Convener of the Parliament's Environment Committee, said: "The G8 appear intent on creating a mirage of action on climate change when behind the scenes it's business as usual. To not take decisive action right now in 2005 is unthinkable, time is running out for global action to stop climate change."
"The possibility of nuclear power bankrupting the budgets for tackling climate change is a real danger. Diverting money away from the development of energy efficiency and renewable energy will strangle attempts to get emissions down, leaving no low cost, low carbon pathway for the developing countries to follow."
A document entitled "Draft G8 Text on Climate Change and Sustainable Energy", has been posted on a web site [1], and it avoids setting targets and timetables for cutting climate pollution, and fails to address the failure of major polluters like the US, nor challenge them to make cuts in pollution.
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(1) http://carroll.org.uk/post/48#comments
(2) Draft motion submitted to the parliament today: That this parliament notes with grave concern a leaked document entitled "Draft G8 Text on Climate Change and Sustainable Energy", which suggests preparations for a weak approach to climate change at the G8 summit in Scotland in July; recognises that climate change is inextricably linked to poverty as its effects will compound and worsen poverty in developing countries; calls on G8 leaders to issue immediate clarification on the status of this document; and believes that if G8 leaders are not intent on taking meaningful action on climate change and poverty then they will not be welcomed here.
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.