17 May 2002

Recommendation To Ratify Kyoto Climate Protocol Welcomed

The Climate Defence Network (CDN) today welcomed the Foreign Affairs and Trade Select Committee recommendation to ratify the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on curbing climate change.

Network Spokesperson Jane Dawson said that the majority report of the Select Committee review had highlighted a range of the benefits of ratifying the Protocol.

"These benefits include giving New Zealand greater moral weight in the debates over the second commitment period and commitments for developing countries in the Protocol."

The report noted that the "overwhelming scientific evidence that greenhouse gas emissions are a major contributor to climate change and that in the long term this will be extremely detrimental to the whole planet."

The Committee also noted that the Protocol is likely to result in new business opportunities.

The Network was greatly disappointed in the National Party's opposition to ratification this year of the Protocol.

"National needs to wakeup over the need for ratification now and the benefits of the protocol to the environment."

The Network noted that Sweden and Denmark are the latest countries to move to ratify the Treaty, with their respective Governments making a decision this week to formally ratify. "This leaves Italy and Greece to complete EU ratification."

In Japan the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee today approved a government proposal to ratify the Protocol. "The Kyoto Protocol is likely to be ratified by Japan early next month."

------------------------ ENDS --------------------

© Scoop Media