Posted on November, 24 2004

Reykjavik, Iceland - Arctic countries have failed to show leadership in their response to the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA), says WWF.  
 
ACIA is the first full-scale assessment of the impacts of climate change in the Arctic. It shows that climate change is already having serious impacts in the Arctic, with dramatic and far-reaching changes to come unless countries reduce global carbon dioxide emissions. 
 
Ministers of Foreign Affairs from arctic countries met today in Iceland to sign off on a set of policy recommendations on arctic climate change. 
 
The policy document released today notes with concern the impacts in the ACIA report and the important role that the Arctic plays in the global climate. It does not, however, support stronger mandatory measures to reduce CO2 emissions, which are essential to avoid many of the impacts outlined in the report. 
 
"The arctic nations had an opportunity to show real leadership in response to ACIA and support bigger cuts in CO2 emissions. They missed this opportunity," said Samantha Smith, director of WWF's International Arctic Programme.

"But through the policy document, even the Bush Administration in the US has acknowledged what the scientists and people who live in the Arctic are telling us - climate change is real, it's happening quickly, and it's going to get worse unless we cut emissions." 
 
"All of the arctic countries, except for the US, have already ratified the Kyoto Protocol, thus taking the first necessary steps towards cutting CO2 emissions. We challenge them to take steps beyond these to save the Arctic, by committing to much deeper cuts at the next round of climate negotiations in December in Buenos Aires," said Jennifer Morgan, director of WWF's Global Climate Change Programme. 

"As for the US, the Bush Administration must reassess its current climate change positions in light of this new science. It is time for the United States to take serious action on climate change.” 
 
For further information: 
Samantha Smith, Director
WWF International Arctic Programme
Tel: +47 45 02 21 49
 
Jennifer Morgan, Director
WWF Global Climate Change Programme 
Tel: +49 160 9074 9807