Canada must not block progress in Bali

December 13, 2007 Bali, Indonesia -- As crucial UN climate negotiations enter their final hours, environmental groups are calling on Canada's government to join with leading countries in pushing for a strong agreement.

"Nothing has been decided yet, but there's optimism here that the Bali negotiations could end up taking a big step forward in the global fight against climate change," said Steven Guilbeault, Equiterre. "Canada must not snatch defeat from the jaws of victory."

For the last two weeks, negotiators from around the world have been working towards a Bali "road map," an agreement to launch negotiations on the second phase of the Kyoto Protocol. (Kyoto's first phase runs from 2008 to 2012.) Canada has come under fire from scientists, other governments and environmental groups for its negotiating positions, and has found itself increasingly isolated.

"We are seeing many countries show a real willingness to do more, including major developing countries like China and South Africa," said Dale Marshall, David Suzuki Foundation. "Unfortunately, Canada has yet to follow the leaders. But it's not too late to show goodwill and work with the rest of the world to protect the climate."

An effective deal in Bali must include:

• An agreement to launch negotiations on "Kyoto phase 2" that will end no later than 2009.

• A recognition of the range of emission reductions required to avoid dangerous climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the world's most authoritative climate science body, has concluded that industrialized countries must reduce their emissions by 25 to 40 per cent below the 1990 level by 2020 in order to avoid 2 degrees C of global warming (relative to the pre-industrial level). In addition, global emissions must peak in the next 10 to 15 years and fall to at least 50 per cent below the 1990 level by 2050. These ranges would serve to guide the negotiations for the final post-2012 deal.

• Other key "building blocks," such as sufficient financing for adaptation and technology transfer to developing countries.

"Bali is a crucial test of the world's political will to avoid the worst impacts of climate change," said Emilie Moorhouse, Sierra Club of Canada. "The next 24 hours give Canada's government the opportunity to change course. Will Canada continue to side with the stragglers or start taking this issue seriously?"

-30-

Contacts:

Jean-Francois Nolet, Equiterre, +62-81-338-969139
Dale Marshall, David Suzuki Foundation, 613-302-9913
Emilie Moorhouse, Sierra Club of Canada, +62-81-338-969125
Matthew Bramley, Pembina Institute, +62-81-338-969113
Sarah Marchildon, David Suzuki Foundation, +62-81-338-989047