A Quercus – Associação Nacional de Conservação da Natureza transcreve em seguida a carta aberta enviada hoje aos Ministros do Ambiente da União Europeia, incluindo o Ministro Português do Ambiente, Desenvolvimento Regional e Ordenamento do Território, Prof. Francisco Nunes Correia pela rede Europeia de Acção Climática (CAN-Europe) de que a Quercus é membro.

A carta apela a que nas reuniões preparatórias do Conselho de Ministros do Ambiente da União Europeia que terá lugar em Outubro que se realizam já a partir da próxima semana e nessa mesma reunião, fique clara a intenção de que a Europa aposta num compromisso sério de redução de emissões dos países industrializados pós-2012 a ser negociado em Montreal na primeira reunião das Partes no quadro das Nações Unidas já com o Protocolo de Quioto em vigor (reunião a realizar de 29 de Novembro a 10 de Dezembro e em que a Quercus estará presente).

September 2, 2005 Dear Ministers, If the reasons for European leadership on the issue of climate change were not obvious before the summer of 2005, they should be now. The increased intensity of hurricanes, floods and droughts seen this summer are what the scientific community have predicted will occur in a warmer world. For example, the number of major floods in Europe has already risen from one per year to 15 in recent decades. 

Unless emissions are swiftly and deeply reduced, Europeans and people around the world will face these types of extreme events much more frequently and intensively. Climate change is not something that only affects small island states, but has massive economic and social implications across the globe and in Europe. Heads of state should be informed by you, and top scientists and other experts, that the only way to avoid these disasters is to reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gases. The First Meeting of the Kyoto Protocol provides you the opportunity to demonstrate leadership to your own citizens, and others around the world that the events of this summer did not fall on deaf ears. The Montreal Meeting is a watershed event – first because it signifies the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol and second because it should take a decision to launch the negotiations on post-2012 commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. As you know, Articles 3.9 and 9 of the Protocol require that countries already begin, in 2005 and 2006, to both review and amend the Protocol in preparation for the end of the first commitment period. Time is not on our side. You must grasp this opportunity to move forward. We do not believe you would be acting alone in launching such negotiations. A coalition is in the building, with other key countries also noting the urgency of moving forward. The EU must take the initiative to work with these countries to build a coalition for action, and not be drawn down by the lowest common denominator.

The G8 Conclusions made it very clear that the Bush Administration is not going to change its position and engage constructively in this debate. While this is deeply irresponsible and disappointing, other countries must not allow the multilateral process to be paralysed by the US rejection of serious joint action to reduce global emissions and, thereby, allow one nation to decide the fate of many others. There are many informal processes that currently exist, whether they be those led by NGOs, or the G8 processes or the most recent Greenland dialogue. While these meetings provide an important platform for informal debate, the time is now right for a formal process to begin, one that includes a start date and an end date and includes the key elements in the making of the post-2012 regime. We would be deeply critical of an EU position that keeps discussions informal and does not set timelines. Timelines drive action and action is needed.

As you know, the Climate Action Network has set forth a clear proposal for the post-2012 regime. While we do not expect a decision to launch negotiations to include a great amount of detail, any approach that takes us away from a mandatory cap and trade system, with absolute caps for Annex I countries, would both make it unlikely that any developing countries would make commitments appropriate to advance their development goals in a low-carbon sustainable manner. In addition, industrialised countries must show greater responsibility to provide low-carbon technologies and finance to developing countries to ensure sustainable development. Only then would developing countries be ready to make commitments, and only then will we stay below 2 degrees Celsius, the danger threshold that you have adopted at the highest level.

The October Council Conclusions should therefore steer your officials to adopt a formal decision in Montreal to begin negotiations under the Kyoto Protocol and set a firm timetable for completion. This decision should recognize the need to review the current provisions of the Protocol and the Convention, and set forth the framework of issues to be considered over the coming years of negotiations including mitigation commitments, the future of the CDM, land-use change and forestry, adaptation, technology transfer and compliance. It should embrace the Kyoto Protocol as the base for these negotiations both in form and substance. While amendments will obviously be needed in order to include more countries and strengthen certain provisions, we need not start from a blank slate. In addition, for the EU to remain credible internationally, the October Council Conclusions should include a clear commitment to continued domestic action. The review of the European Climate Change Program (ECCP) – should be charged to develop the pathway of domestic GHG cut of 30% by 2020 as elaborated on in the European Spring Council Conclusions.

Only by showing clear commitment to making the necessary reductions at home can the EU convince others to do the same. We are looking to you, Ministers, to ensure that the first meeting of the Kyoto Protocol demonstrates to the world that you are taking climate change seriously and are acting on behalf of these Europeans that have suffered so this summer. Let’s make Montreal a success to remember. A Direcção Nacional da Quercus – Associação Nacional de Conservação da Natureza Lisboa, 2 de Setembro de 2005

Informações adicionais podem ser obtidas junto de Francisco Ferreira, 96-9078564 ou 93-7788470.