Business is Backing Kyoto Protocol
08 Dec 2005
Montreal, Canada - The business community is clearly signaling the pro-Kyoto route governments must take. Catalyst Paper, a leading North American paper producer has joined WWF's Climate Savers Program and pledged to reduce its CO2 emissions 70 per cent below 1990 levels by 2010. By then, the nine WWF Climate Savers' companies will collectively reduce carbon pollution by some nine million tons annually, approximately the amount generated by two million cars or 800,000 houses each year.
Meanwhile, a joint announcement by WWF-Brazil and the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development demands the Brazilian government push for even lower emission cuts post-2012 under the Kyoto Protocol. These efforts are all part of the growing trend within business to take direct action on global warming.
"Companies know global warming is happening and are taking action now," said Jennifer Morgan, Director of WWF's Global Climate Change Programme. "Corporations across the globe are increasing their climate action, sending a clear message to ministers in Montreal not to wait for Washington but to act now and start negotiations for lower emissions after 2012."
WWF wants governments in Montreal to strengthen the Kyoto Protocol and start work on the next round of CO2 emission reductions.
Efforts to undermine the Kyoto Protocol mean its supporters are facing a tough fight to keep the process for reducing CO2 emissions on track after the current commitment period ends in 2012.
Negotiations for the next round of cuts must start now as the world is rapidly losing its window of opportunity to keep the rise in temperatures below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, a key tipping point for the world's ecosystems.
Key issues
- Governments must start serious negotiations to set commitments for lower CO2 emissions post-2012.
- Carbon markets may be a business reality now, but governments must ensure it has a future after 2012. Business needs certainty on the future of carbon markets to make effective investment decisions.
- Governments must ensure that all decisions are adopted to make Kyoto operational and that funding is provided to help developing countries manage existing impacts.
For more information
Martin Hiller, WWF International Climate Change Programme
Phone: +1 514 582 1259
Email: mhiller@wwfint.org
Brian Thomson, WWF International
Phone: +1 514 578 6074
Email: bthomson@wwfint.org
Wendy Douglas, WWF-Canada (English)
Phone: +1 514 578 6423
Email: wdouglas@wwfcanada.org
Stephanie Jagou, WWF-Canada (French, English, Spanish)
Phone: +1 514 208 3911
Email: sjagou@wwfcanada.org
Alison Sutton, WWF-UK (English)
Phone: +1 514 578 5490
Email: asutton@wwf.org.uk
