Vol. 533 No. 2
116 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his reaction to the decision of the Bush Administration to reverse an explicit commitment to set limits on emissions of carbon monoxide, the greenhouse gas which causes global warming; and the impact this will have on the EU approach to the implementation of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. [8546/01]
I presume the Deputy is referring to recent correspondence between President Bush and a number of US Senators. It is a matter solely for the US Administration to determine its own domestic policy for reduction of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions to tackle climate change.
I understand that the US Administration is undertaking a thorough reassessment of its approach to climate change, including the ongoing international negotiations, and that no assumptions about US policy should be made until that review is complete. The EU, for its part, has emphasised that the Kyoto Protocol is the outcome of many years of negotiations and offers an effective framework for global action to reduce emissions. The European Council of Environment Ministers has urged all countries to engage constructively in negotiations on modalities for implementing the protocol and to formulate negotiating positions as soon as possible to facilitate a successful outcome at the resumed COP6 negotiations in Bonn next July. The EU has also reaffirmed its openness to a continuing dialogue with all countries in this process.
I endorse the EU view, most recently expressed by the Swedish Presidency in response to the US developments, that efficient international action to combat climate change is necessary and that the Kyoto Protocol is the basis for advising this action.
I welcome President Bush's commitment to work with friends and allies to develop technologies, market incentives and other creative ways to address global climate change. I consider that this can best be done by creating the conditions for ratification and entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol by 2002.
