Kyoto accord: E.U., U.S. to seek new channels

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS, JUNE 15. The European Union and the Bush administration have ``agreed to disagree'' and part company on the strategy to control global climate but vowed to seek ``new channels of co- operation'' to contain challenges posed by global warming.

The 15-nation European Union last night reaffirmed its members' determination to ratify the 1997 Kyoto protocol. The U.S. reiterated its rejection of the protocol and the scientific evidence supporting it. But ironically both sides said they were committed to provide ``strong leadership on climate change''. There is much speculation on the contours of the proposed ``strong leadership''.

However, the more positive outcome of the Euro- American dialogue in Sweden is the American commitment to take part in the conference on global climate change to be held in July in Bonn. Mr. Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, said he was pleased that despite its opposition, the U.S. would take part. Earlier, Mr. Bush said: ``We don't agree on the Kyoto treaty, but we do agree that climate change is a serious issue and we must work together.'' Mr. Bush's main objection to the Kyoto accord is focused on the fact that it exempts developing countries like India and China but commits industrialised nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2020.

The U.S. with five per cent of the global population is responsible for some 25 per cent of the pollution through gases, followed by major European industrial countries led by Germany. The Swedish Prime Minister, Mr. Goran Persson, said the E.U. would stick to the Kyoto treaty - which is yet to be ratified by the industrialised countries - and that the U.S. would ``go on with their policy''. Mr. Persson added: ``Climate change is not isolated to Europe or to America. It is a global effect. If you are in favour or against the Kyoto protocol you have to take action.''

The practical aspect of the Kyoto protocol that the E.U. countries are committed to is making eight per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. is not prepared to make such firm commitment except that Mr. Bush promised to spend ``money and time'' on scientific solutions.

Mr. Bush pointed out that his administration's programme, with emphasis on conservation, nuclear energy and natural gas would help to deal with global warming.

The environmental lobby activists - represented by some 12,000 protesters outside the conference venue - are bitterly critical of the Bush administration's approach accusing Mr. Bush of failing the American people.

A panel on climate change, made up of world's top climate scientists, concluded that man's actions ``contributed substantially'' to the climate warming in the past five decades and that warming process may be accelerating.

The more positive outcome of the Euro-U.S. summit is that the world's two trading giants have committed themselves to launching an ``ambitious'' world trade round this year and to abide by the rulings of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The U.S. and the European leaders also agreed to work together on issues ranging from establishing peace in the Balkans to economically helping Russia to attain the status of a democratic free-market state and fight international crime and terrorism.

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