Archived press release

Clinton Fails the World on Climate Change

22 October 1997

Friends of the Earth International today expressed outrage at President Clinton's announcement that the US will not make significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. The US proposal is a crushing blow to achieving effective international agreement on tackling global climate change at December's UN Climate Summit in Kyoto [1], and comes as delegates meet in Bonn for the final round of talks ahead of the Summit.

President Clinton's main proposals are that the US stabilise greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012 and then make unspecified reductions over the next five years. This is far less than cuts put forward by the European Union [2]. The US proposition is dependent on similar actions by developing countries.

Earlier this month President Clinton had said that the US could make 20 per cent cuts on current greenhouse emissions, which approximates to a 5 per cent cut on 1990 levels[3,4,]. However, the fossil fuel lobby - including major motor and oil companies - have been putting intense pressure on the Clinton administration to weaken its proposals.

Dr Patrick Green, Climate Campaigner for Friends of the Earth international said: “This proposal from President Clinton is totally inadequate and sows the seeds of failure at the Kyoto Climate Summit. It is now left to the Europeans to show true leadership on this vital issue. If the Summit doesn't agree legally binding and significant reductions in greenhouse gases the World should brace itself for the unpleasant consequences that may follow.”

NOTES
[1] The UN Climate Summit is taking place in Kyoto, Japan, 1-10 December 1997.
[2] The EU has already agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15 per cent by 2010 compared to 1990 levels. The UK Government has offered to go further, agreeing to a 20 per cent cut by 2010. FOE is calling for a 20 per cent cut by 2005.
[3] The US (4% of the world's population) is responsible for 25 % of the world's CO2 emissions.It emits 8% more greenhouse gases than in 1990. By 2000 this is expected to rise to 14%.
[4] 2500 economists, including 6 Nobel prize winners, recently called on Clinton to introduce an energy tax, stating that the US economy would actually benefit as a result.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust