Canada opposes Kyoto Protocol
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Xinhua, December 8, 2011
As the Durban climate talks entered a high-level segment, Canada sounded raspingly that it will not support a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, despite international appeals for an extension.
Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent declared in his speech on Wednesday that the Kyoto Protocol "is in the past" for his country.
"We have long said we will not take on a second commitment under the Kyoto Protocol. We will not obstruct or discourage those that do, but Kyoto for Canada is in the past," Kent said.
Since the 17th Conference of Parties (COP 17) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) started, Canada has demonstrated its opposition to extending the Kyoto Protocol, the world's only legal pact to tackle climate change.
Ironically, during his speech, Kent encountered a protest from the Canadian Youth Delegation, as six youths stood up and turned away from the minister, revealing the message "Turn Your Back on Canada" prominently displayed on their shirts.
"Our so-called Environment Minister entered these talks by going on record that he would be defending the tar sands. I have yet to hear him say that he's here to defend my future," said James Hutt, one of the youth delegates who participated in the protest.
Besides Canada, Japan and Russia are reportedly considering pulling out of the Kyoto Protocol. The United States, a major carbon polluter, has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol.
However, all responsible countries have endeavored to curb carbon emissions which cause global warming.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called on the international community to "keep up momentum" and take "collective action" in the fight against climate change.
"Uncertainties should not prevent us from taking action in Durban," he said at the opening of the high-level segment, urging industrialized countries to "carefully consider the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol."
"My message is clear. We must not leave a vacuum between the first and second commitment," he said.
The European Union, which previously set preconditions to the extension of the Kyoto Protocol, is committed to the protocol's second commitment even if major economies refuse to do so.
Connie Hedegaad, member of the European Commission, said Wednesday: "We're committed to the second commitment even when the U.S., Canada, Japan and Russia have said they are not."
She said those who are not committed today and will not be committed tomorrow are taking "an unbearable responsibility" and will face "very very serious consequences."
The four BASIC countries -- Brazil, South Africa, India and China -- are united and demand that the second commitment of the Kyoto protocol " be a must," Xie Zhenhua, the Chinese negotiation head, said Tuesday at a joint news briefing with his South African, Indian and Brazilian counterparts.
"It is very important that, in Durban, a clear and ratifiable decision on Kyoto Protocol second commitment period takes place," Indian Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said at the event.
Meanwhile, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said: "We really would like COP 17 to approve the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol. That's Brazil's position. We consider this essential."
The climate issue not only challenges world economic growth, but also threatens people's livelihood, especially for those who live in Africa that suffered unprecedented droughts this year.
"Agriculture is more vulnerable to climate change than any other sector. Climate changes create risks and uncertainty with potentially serious downsides," said South African President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday.
"This COP 17 meeting represents a unique opportunity for Africa to shape the global climate agenda and strengthen the focus on climate change and agriculture through a work program on adaptation, and a separate work program on mitigation," said Zuma.
