Posted on July, 27 2005

Gland, Switzerland – A US-led Asia-Pacific regional energy pact, expected to be announced Thursday, offers no alternative to binding caps on pollution levels, says WWF. 
 
WWF warns that such a pact between the US, Australia, China, India, and South Korea, which is designed to combat greenhouse gas emissions by developing environmentally-friendly energy technology, can not be seen as an alternative to the Kyoto Protocol. 
 
While WWF does encourage countries to work together on technological developments, it notes that the most effective way to reduce emissions globally is for the world to work together under one agreement rather than multiple plans and agreements. 
 
This is why the Kyoto Protocol, based on binding caps on emissions, is the first effective treaty to counteract global warming. There are 152 nations signed-up to the Protocol, excepting the US and Australia. 
 
“This seems to be another attempt by the Bush and Howard administrations to draw attention away from the fact that their countries emissions continue to rise,” said Jennifer Morgan, Director of WWF’s Global Climate Change Programme.

“While the scale of the problem is immense and we need a variety of initiatives, none are a replacement for a multilateral regime, such as the Kyoto Protocol.” 
 
Under the Kyoto Protocol all countries are committed to reduced emissions. Those nations that produce the most pollution per head of population have to meet legally binding targets. 
 
“A deal on climate change that doesn’t limit pollution is the same as a peace plan that allows guns to be fired,” added Morgan. “WWF calls for formal negotiations to reduce emissions at the next UN climate meeting in Montreal in November.”