APEC declaration a Sydney distraction from action

APEC declaration a Sydney distraction from action on climate change

Sydney - 8 September 2007- Only binding targets to reduce greenhouse emissions can save the world from the dangerous impacts of climate change but APEC leaders have instead chosen to support only vague and voluntary goals, Greenpeace said today.

"The Sydney Declaration is really just a Sydney distraction from real action on climate change," Greenpeace energy campaigner Catherine Fitzpatrick said.

"The failure of this APEC to produce meaningful progress on climate change confirms that the place to do this is at the Kyoto negotiations in Bali in December."

Ms Fitzpatrick said the Sydney Declaration's non-binding aspirational goal of reducing energy intensity by at least 25% by 2030 would mean business as usual. In most APEC countries energy intensity would improve by this amount by 2030 anyway -- but overall emissions would continue to rise, she said.

"Bali is where the world will set the agenda for a strong mandate on climate change, setting in place agreements on binding targets and timetables to cut greenhouse gas emissions."

"Today APEC leaders supported the Australian Government in little more than a political stunt. They have professed concern about climate change while agreeing to no real action to move forward.

"If this is the platform for future climate action then the world is in trouble," Ms Fitzpatrick said.

"This week we have seen a new coal mine approved in NSW, more uranium being pushed out the door and George Bush confusing APEC with OPEC. This demonstrates the real agenda behind what has happened here in Sydney which is taking us in the wrong direction."

"While John Howard billed APEC as "the most important gathering of leaders to discuss climate change since the 1992 Rio Conference," in reality it has failed to deliver on climate change.

On forests, Ms Fitzpatrick warned that the inclusion of the words "all types of forest" would not stop the logging of old growth native forests to be replaced by plantations -- ancient forests which is currently being lost.

Abigail Jabines, Climate & Energy Campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia: " It breaks my heart to know that my fellow Filipinos and other Asia-Pacific nations bear the brunt of climate change impacts such sea level rise, severe typhoons and prolonged drought while world leaders of the Asia-Pacific Region agreed on the Sydney Declaration -- a climate distraction.

"Without legally-binding targets for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the Sydney Declaration is irrelevant and meaningless in addressing climate change.

"It does not lead countries to a path that would deliver the cuts in greenhouse gas emissions required to stop dangerous climate change.

"It does not strengthen the resolve of developing nations to move towards true solutions such as renewable energy and energy efficiency.

"And more importantly, it drastically increases the vulnerability of Asia-Pacific nations to the worst impacts of climate change.

"If this is the platform for future climate action, then the world is in trouble.

"The Sydney Declaration is a political stunt. My country, the Philippines, and the developing nations of the Asia-Pacific region can not afford to accept lip service and false sense of action.

"Based on the statement released by the Chinese government today at 4pm, it clearly shows that there is a movement outside from the Sydney Declaration that demands developed countries to face their historical responsibility, strictly abide by their emission reduction targets set forth in the Kyoto Protocol and continue to take the lead in reducing emissions after 2012.

"Considering that the Sydney Declaration is a lost opportunity, the Kyoto Protocol negotiations coming up in Bali this December are more critical than ever to ensure that the international community delivers a strong mandate on climate change and set binding targets and time lines to cut greenhouse gas emissions."

ENDS

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