last updated 6th January 06
by 4ecotips.com

Only UK and Sweden are on Kyoto course

A report from Institute of Public Policy Research looks at the EU countries and makes th alarming point that two thirds of these countries are set to miss Kyoto commitments

Ten of the fifteen EU countries committed to a burden sharing agreement to combat climate change under the Kyoto Protocol will fall short without urgent action to cut emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, the IPPR.

The Institute has devised a 'traffic lights' analysis of each country's performance showing:

• Ten are on red and will fail to meet their targets even with planned additional measures, including Italy, Spain and Ireland;
• Three are on amber and will only meet their targets if planned new policies are implemented;
• Only two, the UK and Sweden, get a green light and are on course to meet their targets.

The most recent figures show carbon dioxide emissions rising in thirteen of the fifteen countries, including the UK.

Tony Grayling, IPPR associate director, says: "We are nearing the point of no return on climate change. We have very little time left to start reducing global greenhouse gas emissions before irreparable damage is done.

"It is vital that EU countries keep their promises to cut pollution. They must take action now to get back on the Kyoto track, including energy saving and investment in renewable energy. In the new year, EU countries will need to adopt tougher limits on emissions from power stations and heavy industry, in the second phase of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme."