G8 DOCUMENT LEAK PREPARES FOR SUMMIT FAILURE ON CLIMATE CHANGE
BLAIR’S CREDIBILITY ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN TATTERS

Tony Blair’s credibility is in tatters after a leaked document revealed the G8 summit of world leaders would back away from agreeing new targets and action on tackling climate change.

Throughout the recent election campaign Blair’s environmental credibility rested on future plans to exercise world leadership on tackling climate change – but the leaked draft agreement shows the UK has no intention of delivering on its promise at the summit, which takes place in Scotland in July.

Leading Green Party member, Caroline Lucas, said “The leaked document, which purports to be a draft agreement on measures to tackle climate change, shows the G8 is intent on doing nothing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions whilst creating a false impression of action.”

The draft communiqué, which was leaked and posted to the Internet last week, contains no targets or timetables for reducing G8 nations’ greenhouse gas emissions, no mention of US implementation of the Kyoto Protocol – or proposals for co-operation beyond the Kyoto Protocol’s current arrangements, which expire in 2012. The ‘Draft G8 Text on Climate Change and Sustainable Energy’ also leaves open the future role of nuclear power in G8 countries.

Dr Lucas, South-East England’s Green Party MEP and a member of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee, added: “Tony Blair has told us he wants to exercise global leadership on efforts to tackle climate change, and that he will use the G8 summit as a vehicle for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel dependence, and for persuading the US to sign up to global efforts to avert a climactic catastrophe.

“All along his words have been as empty and deceptive as his appalling record during eight years of office would lead us to expect.”

 

June 2005