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17 Sep 1998
Friends of the Earth has welcomed today's agreement in Tokyo aimed at ratifying last December's deal in Kyoto, Japan which set a legally binding global 5.2 per cent cut in greenhouse gases by 2010.
Dr Patrick Green, Energy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
“This is encouraging news. Friends of the Earth welcomes any political initiative which leads governments to legally bind themselves to the agreements that they made in Japan last year. But the United States, the world's biggest polluter, is key to any agreement, and until the US Senate ratifies the deal, fears will still remain over its commitment to tackle this crucial issue.”
Mr Prescott should be congratulated on his efforts. However, we still don't know how the UK intends to meet its promise of reducing carbon dioxide by 20 per cent by the year 2010. The UK can be a World leader on tackling climate change through its unilateral commitment, but it must first spell out how this will be achieved.”
Notes
[1] The UK has promised to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent by 2010:significantly more than it has pledged to achieve under the Kyoto agreement.
[2] The US has 3 per cent of the World's population, but emits 20 per cent of the World's carbon dioxide emissions.
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
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