Greenhouse gases must be contained, says Environment Council
Resolute action to contain greenhouse gas emissions was declared more necessary than ever at the Environment Council meeting on 7 November,. This pronouncement comes at a time when visible signs of climate change are becoming very apparent, with flooding in much of Europe becoming more serious and more frequent. Over the past decade, the scientific community has continued to warn of the dangers of greenhouse gas emissions. The Council also emphasised the need for developed countries to intensify their co-operation with developing countries in order to express solidarity in facing the impact of climate change and to help the non-Annex I parties to promote sustainable development. It is the responsibility of the Annex I countries to take the lead in reversing the historical trend of emissions, and to achieve demonstrable progress in doing so by 2005, stressed the Council. A commitment to a successful outcome at COP 6 (Conference of parties to the UN framework convention on climate change) was reaffirmed at the meeting. The Council believes that an agreement at COP 6 will allow the Kyoto Protocol to enter into force. COP 6 will take place at the Hague in The Netherlands from 13 to 24 November 2000. The decisions taken at the Hague will determine whether or not industrialised countries are prepared to ratify the protocol, as well as how soon it will come into effect. The Council wishes in particular to ensure that steps are taken to address the needs of the least developed countries.