Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism - South Africa
 
For immediate release
 
RESPONSE BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES ABOUT ANNOUNCEMENTS MADE BY PRESIDENT BUSH ON 16 APRIL 2008
 
RESPONSE TO US CLIMATE CHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT
 
The statement by President Bush, made to coincide with the meeting of Environment Ministers from the Major Economies in Paris, does not live up to what the United States committed itself to in Bali just a few months ago. What is particularly disappointing is that the proposal is much weaker than many of the Bills currently before the US Congress.
 
It seems as if the current US Administration wants to turn back the clock to where we were before the breakthrough achieved in Bali in December 2007 when all countries, including the United States, agreed to a Bali Roadmap that outlines the negotiation process and building blocks for a strengthened climate agreement. The decision in Bali is clear on the respective responsibilities of developed and developing countries.
 
The UN Framework Agreement, of which the US is a signatory, is also clear: there is one category for developed countries, which include the United States, and another for developing countries, each with its own responsibilities.
 
There is no way whatsoever that we can agree to what the US is proposing, which means that the fundamental distinction between developed and developing countries should be erased and that we should turn a blind eye to historical responsibility for the problem. In effect, the US wants developing countries that already face huge poverty and development challenges to pay for what the US and other highly industrialized countries have caused over the past 150 years.  We are willing to do our fair share to address the climate challenge, but not to carry a part of the US's burden.
 
On this issue, the current US Administration is isolated.  It is them against the overwhelming majority of the world, developed and developing countries alike.
 
We expect from the US to provide real leadership and take real action. We expect them to commit to ambitious, internationally-binding emission reduction targets.   A binding national target for the US would be a first step, but by far not enough.  It should be an internationally agreed, ambitious and binding target.  This kind of leadership by the United States will send a credible signal to the rest of the world, including to us in the developing world where we stand ready to do more.
 
These signals from the US on Wednesday do not meet the required-by-science criteria.  It does not come close to what the international community expects from them.
 
Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp - +27 83 778 9923