NZ, Aussie split on Kyoto

Energy Minister Pete Hodgson says New Zealand will continue to strive for limits on greenhouse gas emissions, despite a backdown by Australia.

Mr Hodgson was responding to weekend reports that Australia will now not ratify the Kyoto Protocol, which requires developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2008-2012.

Talks on the 1997 treaty stalled at The Hague in November when the United States refused to ratify it.

President George W. Bush confirmed that decision in March.

Mr Hodgson said Australia's decision that it would not ratify the protocol, if accurately reported, was premature.

"We are striving to find a protocol that is workable with clear rules, easy to understand and hard to break.

"We are a Western nation unusually dependent on a good climate for our economy.

"It's very much in our interest that climate stabilises."

At issue was the lack of obligations placed on developing countries by the treaty, Mr Hodgson said.

The idea had been to negotiate emissions targets for developing countries, starting from 2013.

However, President Bush wanted the targets included in the 2008 start date.

Australian Environment Minister Robert Hill has said the Kyoto Protocol would not work without support from the US, which produces 30 per cent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions.

Mr Hodgson will leave for Bonn, Germany, next Monday for more talks on the Kyoto Protocol.

- NZPA

www.nzherald.co.nz/climate

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

*

Summary: Climate Change 2001

United Nations Environment Program

World Meteorological Organisation

Framework Convention on Climate Change