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| Climate activists condemn Northern obstructionism, throw shoes at G8 leaders |
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| Written by Ms. Theresa Lauron | |||
| Wednesday, 16 December 2009 12:52 | |||
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The protest action follows the withdrawal of developing countries from informal sessions seeking to iron out major differences between parties as the talks reach its second and final week. Talks stalled over moves by developed countries to end the Kyoto Protocol. Developed countries are pressing to replace Kyoto with a new treaty that includes both the United States and developing countries. This treaty would place stronger emissions obligations on developing countries, while relaxing existing obligations of developed countries. The US in particular proposes to replace the multilateral Kyoto regime in favor of loose pledge-and-review system of emissions reductions. In the existing climate change architecture, the Kyoto Protocol is the only legally binding instrument requiring developed countries to reduce emissions, with the exception of the US. The US refuses to be part of Kyoto because it places no similar obligations on developing countries. Wahu Kaara of the PMCC said: "We condemn developed countries for continuing to stand in the way justice by not facing up to their historical responsibility for causing climate change, watering down their obligations, and shifting the burden of cutting emissions to developing countries." "We never shared the wealth rich countries and their corporations gained on the back of damaging the environment at the expense of the South and by exploiting the South. It is absolutely unacceptable for them to force us at this point, just a few days before the summit ends, to take the responsibility and do our share." "Progress in the climate talks require nothing short of rich countries owning up and taking responsibility for the problem they have caused. We demand developed countries, particularly the G8, to honor their climate debt to the South, and compensate us for putting our lives and right to development in peril." "Kyoto must continue, its flexibility mechanisms must be scrapped, and all developed countries, including the United States, must submit to international legally binding emissions reductions. They should commit to at least 45% emissions reductions below 1990 levels by 2020. And as previously agreed to, developing countries should reduce emissions only insofar as they are supported by technology and financing from developed countries." Contact Persons: Ms. Maria Theresa Lauron +63.918.902.8320 +45 52 69 78 32 Ms. Maitet Ledesma +31.6.14659558 Like it? Share it!
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