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| July 12, 2001 | atimes.com | ||
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Japan
The heat's on Australia CANBERRA - The Australian government is under pressure to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change and has asked the opposition to state its opinion on the issue. The government is under pressure from European nations to ratify the protocol designed to curb the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for global warming. Environment Minister Robert Hill will travel to London for next week's world climate change talks in Bonn but is doubtful the protocol will be ratified at the meeting. Environment groups have for months demanded the government distance itself from the US position and ratify the protocol. The federal cabinet this week agreed to support emission reduction targets contained in the protocol but maintained its support for the US position, which demands the involvement of developing nations in any binding targets. An Australia Institute report, commissioned by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and released earlier this month, showed Australia could have the casting vote. Opposition Leader Kim Beazley on Wednesday refused to confirm whether he would ratify the protocol but said Labor wanted the government to negotiate a proper outcome. "We believe that we must negotiate a proper outcome on this, that we've got to stay in the ring, that we've got to sit down with the other countries and be prepared to come to a decent conclusion," Beazley told ABC radio. As part of the 1997 protocol, Australia agreed to limit its emissions to 8 percent above 1990 levels by 2010. The targets are not binding until the protocol is ratified by at least 55 countries. Senator Hill and Industry Minister Nick Minchin on Wednesday questioned Labor's approach to curbing global warming, saying it appeared not to have a position. "Australia will be a constructive participant in the Bonn climate change meetings, we want the world to develop an effective global response to greenhouse without shutting the door on the United States, the world's largest emitter," Hill said in a statement. Senator Minchin said Labor was taking a reckless approach to the protocol. "Does Labor have a secret policy position on the Kyoto Protocol or will we continue to see a string of promises designed to appease whichever particular lobby group is withholding its [election ticket] preferences?" he said. (Asia Pulse) |
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