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Enron Mail |
TO: Jeff Keeler
Mike Terraso RE: Denmark Approves Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol DATE: May 30, 2001 ______________________________________________________________________________ _________ Yesterday, the Danish Parliament passed a resolution approving the Kyoto Protocol, allowing Denmark to ratify the treaty jointly with other EU member states. Denmark is the first EU member to take such strong government action related to ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. Currently, Romania is the only industrialized nation to have ratified the treaty. While Denmark's action is largely symbolic, it puts pressure on the U.S. and other EU members to keep the international negotiations on track and puts mild pressure on other EU members to approve the treaty in preparation for joint ratification. Please see Dow Jones article below. Background The Bush Administration is currently reviewing U.S. climate change policy with the aim of releasing an alternative approach to the Kyoto Protocol in late June. The international climate change negotiations are scheduled to resume in mid-July in Bonn, Germany, but could be postponed based on the substance of the U.S. plan or a lack of progress during informal Ministerial meetings in late June. EU Ministers have publicly endorsed a EU ratification strategy by 2002; however, U.S. opposition to the treaty could delay or shift this approach. Environmental Strategies is providing input to the Bush Administration and Congress on cost-effective, market-based approaches to address climate change. Remarks by Danish Energy Minister Danish Energy Minister Svend Auken made these remarks about ratification: "Denmark is sending a strong signal that we still support the Kyoto Protocol, affirming our active contribution to protecting the environment we live in." "It is even more important in light of the American rejection," he continued, "for countries that support the Kyoto Protocol to show clearly that the Kyoto process is continuing." I will keep you posted on new developments. Please let me know if you have any questions. Please see the Dow Jones article and link to the Agence France-Presse story below (in French). (Agence France-Presse <http://www.lapresse.com/groups/public/documents/convertis/mon_p1059443.hcsp Denmark Approves Ratification Of Kyoto Climate Treaty 05/30/2001 Dow Jones International News (Copyright © 2001, Dow Jones & Company, Inc.) COPENHAGEN (AP)--The Danish parliament has approved the 1997 Kyoto global warming treaty in a move the environment minister called a strong signal to the U.S. administration that the ratification process will continue despite rejection by President George W. Bush. In an 88-9 vote late Tuesday, the parliament in Copenhagen gave its go-ahead for European Union member Denmark to ratify the protocol when all 15 E.U. members jointly will sign the document. No date for the common ratification has been set. "In light of the American government's rejection of the Kyoto agreement, it's even more important that the countries that support it clearly demonstrate that the Kyoto process continues," Environment Minister Svend Auken said Wednesday by telephone. The U.S. has been heavily criticized for its environmental policies after Bush rejected the Kyoto treaty in March, saying the mandatory pollution reductions would harm American economic interests and promising to offer alternative measures. In Kyoto, Japan, the industrialized countries agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average 5.2% by 2012 from 1990 levels. Auken stressed the importance of maintaining a dialogue with the U.S. - the world's biggest polluter - on environmental matters. "The way forward is not to take a defensive position but to show leadership," he said. "Without the E.U. it is difficult to imagine a successful global climate policy that will really make a real difference to the environment." E.U. leaders have pledged to go forward with the ratification process despite the U.S. rejection and say it's possible to get the necessary approval from 55 countries. World delegations will reconvene in Bonn, Germany, in July for another attempt to draft details of the treaty. Copyright , 2000 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Lisa Jacobson Enron Manager, Environmental Strategies 1775 Eye Street, NW Suite 800 Washington, DC 20006 Phone: +(202) 466-9176 Fax: +(202) 331-4717
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