UN urges ratification of emission treaty

Stevie Emilia , The Jakarta Post, Milan, Italy

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan added pressure here Wednesday for the ratification of the treaty to cut carbon dioxide emissions.

In a written address to an international conference aiming to push the Kyoto Protocol into effect, he said "I encourage all remaining (developed) countries that have not joined in this crucial global endeavor to expedite the ratification process."

Citing rising sea levels, crop failure and heat waves linked to the emission of greenhouse gases, he said the treaty's ratification was just the first step toward slowing global warming, through the cutting of gas emissions like carbon dioxide from cars and factories.

With the U.S.'s refusal to ratify the treaty for fear that Kyoto's targets would hurt its economy, the world is now waiting for Russia's ratification. Russia has expressed similar fears for its economy.

The climate change treaty has been ratified by 120 countries, with Indonesia hoping to finish the ratification process next year. But it will only come into force if it has been ratified by developed countries, the world's biggest emitters, which together account for at least 55 percent of 1990's level of greenhouse gas emissions. Without the U.S. or Russia, the 55 percent threshold is unreachable.

Joke Waller-Hunter, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), reminded some 90 ministers and heads of delegations that the world was counting on them "to be reassured that the climate change will not threaten social and economic progress over time."

According to the UNFCC report based on data submitted by governments on a regular basis, the combined emissions of Europe, the U.S., Japan and other highly industrialized countries could grow by 8 percent from 2000 to 2010 -- or about 17 percent more than levels in 1990 -- despite domestic measures currently in place to limit them.

Waller-Hunter added, "Much can be done today. But much more still needs to be done because the overall emission projections based on today's data are not encouraging."

She said that in the 12-day talks, "Old debates have been reopened instead of jointly moving forward." These include the actions and policy measures undertaken to adjust to or ease the adverse impacts of climate change.

According to Eka Melisa, an Indonesian delegation member, the reopening of adaptation issues benefits Indonesia. "There are some unclear matters on the adaptation issues and as one of the countries to implement them, we need clear details," said Eka of the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Negotiations are ongoing both related to the adaptation itself as well as to land use, land conversion and forestry.

"It's better if we can finish details at this conference instead of waiting until the next climate conference," Eka said.

The high level segment was opened by the conference President Miklos Persanyi, Minister of Environment and Water of Hungary.

Delegates will join round-table discussions on climate change, adaptation, mitigation and sustainable development, as well as technology and assessment of progress of commitment at national, regional and international levels.

The results of the round-table discussions will be wrapped up and finalized at the end of the conference on Friday.