New targets and dedication needed to save global climate

Global pressure forced Canada to join other nations in signing 'roadmap' at Bali

Ottawa (20 Dec. 2007) - Nations of the world agreed after two weeks of intense debate in Bali on a 'roadmap' to launch negotiations for a post-2012 global agreement that will be guided by scientific analysis of emission cuts needed to avoid dangerous climate change.

Key developing countries signalled a willingness to take on new commitments at the two-week-long UN climate conference.

However, Canada worked with the United States for most of the meeting to oppose crucial elements of the Bali roadmap.

As a result, the suggestion that the Canadian delegation worked as a 'bridge' between the U.S. position and the European Union position misrepresents what actually happened.

Also, the final agreement reached in Bali is too vague to assure a successful outcome of the next round of UN negotiations, due to be completed in 2009.

Missed opportunity

“The world moved forward in Bali but we had the opportunity to do much more,” says Steven Guilbeault of the Quebec-based environmental group Équiterre following the the last-minute negotiations.

“The good news is that the Bali deal recognizes that rich nations need to cut their greenhouse gas pollution by 25% to 40% below 1990 levels by 2020, and nations will negotiate the next phase of Kyoto on that basis.”

Canada initially opposed the emissions reduction range in the final negotiating session but agreed not to block the consensus position when it found itself virtually isolated.

“Canada worked against the key elements of this deal for most of the two weeks in Bali, and was singled out by other countries and high-ranking UN officials for its obstructive behaviour,” says Dale Marshall of the David Suzuki Foundation. “In the end, the government responded to public pressure and allowed this deal to go through.”

The first phase of the Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012. The Bali deal launches a two-year negotiation process for the post-2012 “Kyoto phase 2”. In addition to setting a range of emission reduction targets for industrialized countries, the Bali roadmap contains commitments to negotiate actions to control emissions in developing countries, financial agreements for adaptation and the transfer of climate-friendly technology, and an agreement to tackle the problem of deforestation in developing countries.

Now is the time to show much needed leadership and take effective action to implement the commitments made in Bali. New targets and a new dedication to deep reductions will be needed to meet the Bali commitments. NUPGE