RI not optimistic over Kyoto conference
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia hopes the United Nations climate change conference in Kyoto, Japan, will reaffirm the 1992 Rio commitment to reduce gas emissions, but says it will opt for "reasonable" solutions if the meeting is deadlocked.
State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said here yesterday that due to the apparent deadlock between major countries on the target for reduction, Indonesia was taking a "realistic" stance to the 10-day conference.
"We base ourselves on our own national interests which conform to (global) climate stabilization programs, so we have no problem at all with the Rio commitment," Sarwono said.
The problem now lies with the lack of international unity on establishing allowable levels for greenhouse gas emissions, Sarwono said.
The international conference on climate change began in Kyoto yesterday with the aim of setting limits for gas emissions and which gases are to be included.
Indonesia is committed to the 1992 Rio commitment of reducing emissions to the 1990 level by 2000 with carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous-oxide among the gases which must be reduced.
European countries are calling for a 15 percent cut to the 1990 level by 2010, Japan for a 5 percent cut before 2012 while the United States is calling for 1990 levels to be applied by 2012.
The United States includes six "greenhouse gases" in its proposal, while Europe and Japan include only three in theirs.
Sarwono, who will address the conference Monday, hopes that all parties will adhere to the 1992 Rio commitment.
"We (Indonesia) will urge all parties to go back to the 1992 Rio commitment. However, if it fails (to reach a consensus), we'll go on with bilateral or multilateral partnership schemes in carrying out our Rio commitment," he explained.
He said Indonesia is "very aware" of the tough debates going on at the conference, and conceded that its view might not be shared by many participants.
Sarwono was not upbeat about the outcome of the conference saying that "even if the conference succeeds in getting a consensus, it will be a compromising one, softer than the Rio commitment".
But he said Indonesia would continue to adhere to the 1992 Rio commitment, seeking bilateral avenues to achieve the target.
"We can therefore only offer ourselves to be a partner to any country in stabilizing the world climate. We will take advantage of any party supporting our reforestation program, power energy diversification program, investment on alternative fuel for transportation and industry."
He said such partnerships could take the form of grants, loans, or investments. He cited the Activities Implemented Jointly -- Pilot Phase scheme as an example.
More than 150 countries are taking part in the conference to tackle the myriad of thorny issues to reach an agreement, hopefully a Kyoto Protocol, to combat the threat of global warming.
Sarwono described the standoff at the Kyoto conference as a "clash of big business interests" with each party pushing different objectives, some spurred on by environmental interests while others by business.
"So, it will surely be a compromise, or no protocol at all," he said predicting the final outcome of the conference.
Despite the tough prospects ahead, Sarwono said an inconclusive outcome would mean a failure to stop global warming.
He said countries cold pursue alternative multilateral measures, such as those pursued by Indonesia, to reduce gas emissions.
A report on the impact of climate change by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said the price of failure in Kyoto would be high.
Drought in Africa, partial melting of the polar ice caps, flooding in Asian countries such as Bangladesh, the disappearance of low-lying islands and similar rapid changes elsewhere in the world are among the looming forecasts. (aan)
Industry -- Page 4
Poor nations -- Page 9
Meeting -- Page 16