The Climate Action Network-Réseau action climat Canada expressed its dismay at the communiqué on climate change released by G8 leaders' in Hokkaido, Japan today.
"As the heads of eight of the world's biggest economies, the G8 leaders could have used their summit to give real momentum to the UN negotiations on a global climate deal," said Arthur Sandborn from Greenpeace. "Instead, their communiqué offers virtually nothing beyond what countries already agreed at Bali and at the 2007 G8. Clearly, the G8's leaders still have not grasped the urgency of combating climate change."
"The G8 are responsible for 62% of the carbon dioxide accumulated in the Earth's atmosphere, which makes them the main culprit of climate change and the biggest part of the problem", said Julia Langer from WWF Canada. "WWF finds it pathetic that they still duck their historic responsibility and refuse to turn from the main driver of the problem into the main driver of the solution."
In 2007, G8 leaders agreed to "seriously consider" a target of reducing global emissions by at least 50% by 2050, without specifying a base year. Today's communiqué urges all nations to adopt that goal through the UN climate negotiations. The G8 also acknowledged that "ambitious" mid-term targets will be needed to reach the 2050 goal, but failed to specify a target level for the medium term.
"Without a base year, we cannot be sure that the G8 target is even aligned with what the science tells us we need to avoid dangerous climate change," said Clare Demerse from the Pembina Institute. "At a time when developing countries are coming forward with meaningful climate policies and proposals, the G8 leaders have been unable to make any substantive progress."
This year's G8 comes partway through a two-year negotiation on a global climate agreement on the next phase of the Kyoto Protocol. Launched in Bali, this process is scheduled to wrap up in Copenhagen in December 2009. Today's G8 communiqué calls on G8 countries to develop national plans to reach mid-term targets, and also "encourages the continuation of the science-based approach that should guide our climate protection efforts."
"Unfortunately, the government's approach to climate change does not reflect what the science is telling us," said Dale Marshall from the David Suzuki Foundation. "Canada's 2020 target falls short of the science, and the government's proposed climate policies don't add up to even its weak target. To bring itself into line with today's G8 communiqué, Canada needs to adopt a target based on science and dramatically strengthen its climate policies."
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For more information, contact:
Clare Demerse, Pembina Institute, in Japan: 011-81-(0)80-2910-2051
Graham Saul, Climate Action Network - Réseau action climate Canada: 613-558-3368
Arthur Sandborn, Greenpeace: (514) 235-5955
Dale Marshall, David Suzuki Foundation: 613-302-9913
Julia Langer, WWF Canada: 416-484-7709