How do you see this partnership affecting the climate?

Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate

152 nations, between them producing more than 55% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, have ratified the 'Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change'. It entered into force on February 16, 2005. Australia and the United States were not among them. Now they have come up with their own accord, the "Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate", along with China, India, Japan, and South Korea, all of which did ratify Kyoto. The six countries between them produce nearly half the world's greenhouse emissions. Reactions are very mixed as to its impact on the climate and on the Kyoto Protocol. Below are Australia's press release and their joint vision statement for you to make up your own mind.

Australia Joins new Asia-Pacific, Partnership on Clean Development and Climate

We are very pleased to announce that the United States, China, India, Japan, South Korea and Australia have agreed to form the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate.

The partnership brings together key developing and developed countries in the region to address the challenges of climate change, energy security and air pollution, in a way that strives to encourage economic development and reduce poverty.

The partnership is a significant step forward as it establishes a new path for global agreements to emerge based on clean technology development and deployment which are effective and comprehensive in addressing climate change. While Australia contributes only 1.4 per cent to world emissions, taken together the founding countries encompass around half of global greenhouse emissions, the world’s population and energy consumption. The founding countries will consider ways to include other like minded and interested countries.

The partnership is consistent with our efforts under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and will complement, but not replace, the Kyoto Protocol.

Today the six founding countries released a Vision Statement for the Partnership (see below) at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Vientiane which states that countries will work together to:

• develop, deploy and transfer existing and emerging clean technology;
• meet our increased energy needs and explore ways to reduce the greenhouse intensity of our economies;
• build human and institutional capacity to strengthen cooperative efforts; and
• seek ways to engage the private sector.

This vision is consistent with the approach articulated in the Australian Government’s Climate Change Strategy and Energy White Paper. The partnership complements the commitments made by the Australian Government in its election policy document A Sustainable Australia to promote an effective and pragmatic approach to climate change that builds on key partnerships within the region, promotes collaboration between Australian businesses and researchers and their regional partners, encourages technology partnerships and implements practical solutions to climate change that involves large countries.

We are pleased to announce that Australia will host the inaugural ministerial meeting of the partnership. Foreign, Environment and Energy Ministers from each member country will be invited to build on the principles in the Vision Statement. Discussions are already underway on the practical elements, including a work plan and a wide range of technology areas for possible collaboration.

The recent G8 announcement at Gleneagles also recognises the important role that technology will play in future global agreements on climate change. Australia will investigate ways to become involved in initiatives under the G8 Plan of Action. Australia will also play an active role in other international fora such as the ASEAN regional forum, APEC and the International Energy Agency.

28 July 2005

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U.S.-led climate plan won't supplant Kyoto -experts,
U.S. in 'Beyond Kyoto' pact with Asian nations,
U.S. Partnership to Address Climate Change

Six countries, who between them produce nearly half the world's greenhouse emissions, have agreed the "Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate". Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the United States will hold the inaugural Ministerial Meeting of the Partnership in Australia later in the year. Reaction has been mixed. According to some, it is unlikely to undermine or replace the Kyoto Protocol as it does not set any binding goals for cutting emissions of greenhouse gases. China and India have ratified Kyoto, but have no obligations under it before 2012. The USA and Australia did not ratify it, saying that it threatened their economies. This new accord follows President Bush's view that technology is the solution. The partnership is said to be similar to the 1992 U.N. Climate Convention that proved ineffective. Others say it undermines existing treaties. It is unclear whether it means that the USA and Australia, the only developed nations not accepting Kyoto, are taking global warming more seriously. Some said it was a limited trade and technology accord.

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