POOR COUNTRIES ALREADY FIGHTING GLOBAL WARMING WHILE US SITS ON

KEY EXCERPTS:

"Although [poor countries] do not yet have to act under the
international climate treaty, she says, they are wasting no time...'In
the developing countries, known in the protocol as non-Annex One
countries, we're seeing a keen interest in Kyoto.'

"The rapidly industrialising countries see their environmental and
economic interests coinciding. China is really decoupling energy use
from GDP."

The protocol aims to reduce emissions of six gases scientists say are
helping to change the climate. If it is implemented, industrialised
countries' emissions will by some time between 2008 and 2012 be cut to
5.2% below their 1990 levels.

But many scientists say cuts of around 60-70% will be needed by
mid-century to avoid runaway climate change. Ms Waller-Hunter said:
"It's a very important first step that can lead to much more
far-reaching measures. Yes, it's a peanut -- but a vital one in the
long run."

[upcoming report] shows the combined emissions of Europe, Japan, the
US and other highly industrialised countries could grow by 8% between
2000 and 2010.  This would take them to 17% above their 1990 levels,
in stark contrast with the rich countries' Kyoto commitment to achieve
significant cuts.

FULL ARTICLE:

Poor world 'cuts climate gases'

By Alex Kirby
BBC News Online environment correspondent

Many poor countries are working to cut their emissions of greenhouse
gases, a senior United Nations official says.

Although they do not yet have to act under the international climate
treaty, she says, they are wasting no time.

She says the treaty itself, the Kyoto Protocol, which has not yet
become part of international law, is "a peanut - but a vital one in
the long run".

And she believes its signatories are committed to making it work
whether or not the treaty is eventually ratified.

The official is Ms Joke Waller-Hunter, executive secretary of the UN
Climate Change Convention. The countries which have signed the
convention are meeting in the Italian city of Milan from 1 to 12
December "to assess progress in addressing climate change".

Staying away

The protocol will enter into force only when 55 signatories have
ratified it: they must include industrialised countries responsible
for 55% of the developed world's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in
1990.

Some critics say President Bush's decision that the US, which emits
more greenhouse gases than any other country, will not ratify the
protocol condemns it to irrelevance.

 But enough other signatories have done so for it to enter into force
if and when Russia, another big polluter, ratifies. So far President
Putin has not said it will ratify.

Ms Waller-Hunter told BBC News Online at the convention's offices in
the German city of Bonn: "There are 119 countries which have ratified
the protocol, and I get the impression they are committed to
implementing it regardless of it entering into force.

"In the developing countries, known in the protocol as non-Annex One
countries, we're seeing a keen interest in Kyoto.

"Countries like India, China and Cuba are all waiting for the
protocol's clean development mechanism to start working - that will
let richer countries invest in projects to cut greenhouse gases in the
developing world.

"The rapidly industrialising countries see their environmental and
economic interests coinciding. China is really decoupling energy use
from GDP."

Only a start

The protocol aims to reduce emissions of six gases scientists say are
helping to change the climate. If it is implemented, industrialised
countries' emissions will by some time between 2008 and 2012 be cut to
5.2% below their 1990 levels.

But many scientists say cuts of around 60-70% will be needed by
mid-century to avoid runaway climate change.

Ms Waller-Hunter said: "It's wrong to think the protocol will do so
little that it's insignificant.

"It's a very important first step that can lead to much more
far-reaching measures. Yes, it's a peanut -- but a vital one in the
long run."

At the moment only the industrialised (Annex One) countries have to
cut their emissions, but within a few years these cuts will be
obligatory for every country.

Backsliding begun

Ms Waller-Hunter said: "We have to look at a future of increasing
carbon constraints. And we shall have to find ways of making the
principle of equity a reality, or it will be very hard to get the
poorer countries involved.

"The overall aim of stabilising emissions has been met, but mainly
because of cuts by countries in transition, [the former members of the
Soviet Union]. The UK and Germany have performed well, but not all
their European partners - Spain's emissions have risen by 46%".

The Milan meeting, much of which is highly technical, will also
receive a report on emission trends and projections.

Whatever voluntary efforts the poorer countries are making, this shows
the combined emissions of Europe, Japan, the US and other highly
industrialised countries could grow by 8% between 2000 and 2010.

This would take them to 17% above their 1990 levels, in stark contrast
with the rich countries' Kyoto commitment to achieve significant cuts.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3246236.stm

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