Archived press release

2005 - A Crucial Year for Life on Earth

23 December 2004

2005 will be a crucial year in determining the future of the planet, according to Friends of the Earth. The UK will play a leading role in international meetings and Tony Blair in particular will be a key international figure in seeking solutions to pressing global problems.

International talks on climate change and development could spearhead action to limit the damage expected from global warming and lay the foundations for a more just international order that helps deliver poor countries from poverty. There are plenty of opportunities for the UK to lead the world in addressing global issues.

Here are some of the key events happening in 2005:

• On the 1^st January the Emissions Trading Scheme and Freedom of Information legislation come into force. Both are significant new tools for delivering environmental protection.

• From 1-3^rd February, G8 representatives will attend a Scientific Conference on Climate Change at the Hadley Centre for Climate Research and Prediction in the UK.

• On 16^th February the Kyoto Protocol finally enters into international law requiring countries to reduce the pollution which causes global warming. Tony Blair can use this landmark to show global leadership by signalling his intention to meet his own target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent by 2010 (compared with 1990 levels). He could make this target a firm and clear promise by including it in his election manifesto.

• In February the UK will also ratify the Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation in decision making and access to justice in environmental matters. The Convention was signed by the UK in 1998 but has not yet been ratified by the Government. This Convention provides the foundation for a new approach to people-centred and rights- based environmental decision making in this country.

• In March, International Energy and Environment Ministers from 20 nations meet for Roundtable discussion in London (15-16^th) and the G8 Environment and Development Ministers will meet in Derbyshire (17^th-18^th).

• In May, governmental experts will meet in Bonn to discuss appropriate responses to climate change under the Kyoto Protocol and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

• From 6-8^th July, the UK hosts the G8 Summit of most industrialised countries in Scotland. The Prime Minister has already announced that climate change is one of his top priorities for agreement. If Tony Blair can persuade President Bush to join other countries in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, then a major political barrier to reducing the risks posed by climate change will be overcome.

• The UK takes on the Presidency of the EU from July. The EU is the most progressive group of developed countries on climate change issues. The UK should use its presidency to raise climate change issues and achieve consensus on the need for continued European leadership and immediate action to reduce emissions, including for example through tougher emissions trading rules. The UK should not allow its `special relationship' with the US, who remain opposed to international action to tackle climate change, to reduce our own or the EU's ambitions for action.

• In September there will be a review of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals. The UK will speak for the whole EU and will have considerable influence at this crucial global gathering. The UK has an important opportunity to demonstrate how climate change poses threats to poverty alleviation and to argue that development and environment agreements should be brought closer together.

• From 7- 18 November 2005, crucial international talks are scheduled on tackling climate change. These negotiations will be the most important climate talks since Kyoto in 1997. The Kyoto Protocol will be in force and countries are likely to begin formal discussions on the next round of pollution cuts that countries will agree after the Kyoto accord expires in 2012.

• Important Ministerial talks on world trade will take place in Hong Kong in December 2005. The UK could play an important role in pressing the case for sustainable trade that upholds environmental protection and protects the interests of people over the powerful transnational corporations that increasingly dominate international commerce.

Friends of the Earth Director Tony Juniper said:

"The coming year presents a real opportunity for Tony Blair to create an enduring legacy. A truly international effort is needed to tackle climate change and he has been handed a series of golden opportunities to make progress. Global emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise but need to peak and decline within the next 10-15 years if we want to limit the worst effects. If he can negotiate international consensus on the need for urgent action his place in history will be secured."

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