Fed: Patten warns against ditching Kyoto

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2001
Fed: Patten warns against ditching Kyoto

By Krista Hughes

CANBERRA, April 18 AAP - European Union external affairs commissioner Chris Patten
today warned Australia against abandoning a deal to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the
wake of US opposition.

Environment Minister Robert Hill said the Kyoto protocol on the reduction of greenhouse
gases was not viable without the US, which produces 25 per cent of gas emissions.

But Commissioner Patten said other countries should go ahead with trying to ratify
the agreement and also persuade the US to make some sort of commitment on climate change.

"I am saddened by the recent American decision on the Kyoto protocol (but) I don't
think it's enough for us to then say `alright, in that case the Kyoto protocol is a dead
duck'," he told the National Press Club.

"I don't think it's very helpful for us to simply denounce the United States, I don't
think it's simple (simple) for us to simply rend our garments and rub ashes into our foreheads."

Commissioner Patten said he still hoped to persuade the US to change its mind.

"I don't think it's sensible to denounce them with bell, book and candle, but I do
think they're wrong," he said.

"I still hope that we'll be able to persuade them."

Senator Hill told reporters in Washington that while the Kyoto protocol remained Australia's
preferred option, it would not work without the support of the US.

He said it was premature to say whether the US could be brought back to the negotiating
table until he had talked to the White House, the state department and the US environmental
watchdog today.

But he signalled all options would be discussed.

"If the United States has formed the view that it's impossible to resolve those issues,
then we may well need to look for a new path forward," Senator Hill said.

To come into effect, the treaty must be signed by 55 countries making up 55 per cent
of world greenhouse gas emissions.

The EU, Japan and New Zealand have led a push to ratify the agreement without the US,
which would technically be possible with the support of Russia and former Soviet countries.

AAP kmh/jas/sb

KEYWORD: KYOTO NIGHTLEAD

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