Hopes for Kyoto II
The chance of success for a second-round Kyoto Protocol rose, with the signing of a declaration in Washington this week of an agreement by representatives of the Group of 8 Leading Developed Nations and 5 Major Developing Countries (Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa). Although the declaration is non-binding, the fact that representatives of these nations signed may be a positive indication of progress towards the replacement to the Kyoto Protocol after 2012. Certainly, we are no worse off than we would be if they’d not signed this Declaration.
“The BBC’s environment analyst Roger Harrabin was at the meeting and says that although the declaration carries no formal weight, it indicates a real change in mood.
The legislators agreed that developing countries had to face targets on greenhouse gas emissions, in the same way rich countries do. They said they wanted a successor to the Kyoto Protocol - which expires in 2012 - in place by 2009.
US senator Joe Lieberman forecast that the US Congress would enact a law on cutting emissions by the end of next year, possibly this year.
And presidential candidate John McCain, who is co-sponsoring climate legislation with Mr Lieberman, was emphatic on the need for new initiatives. “I am convinced that we have reached the tipping point and that the Congress of the United States will act, with the agreement of the administration,” he told the forum.”