Emerging economies slam Canada over Kyoto withdrawal

MIKE DE SOUZA
Postmedia News

The world’s largest emerging economies are singling out Canada for its “casual” approach to fighting climate change, saying it raises serious doubts about the Canadian government’s credibility.

In a joint statement, the so-called BASIC countries of Brazil, South Africa, India and China, said they were disappointed about Canada’s decision to abandon the Kyoto Protocol, the world’s only legally binding treaty on global warming.

The federal government’s decision was announced after it had participated in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change discussions last December.

“Ministers regretted the announcement by Canada, within a few days after the conclusion of the Durban Conference, withdrawing from the Kyoto Protocol,” said the four countries, after concluding a meeting this week in New Dehli.

“Ministers observed that the Kyoto Protocol is not only a cornerstone of the international climate regime but a legally binding agreement under the UNFCCC and that any attempts by developed countries to casually set aside their existing legal commitments while calling for a new legally binding agreement seriously questions their credibility and sincerity in responding to the climate crisis.”

Environment Minister Peter Kent has suggested Canada would meet its own targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But Canada has not introduced a plan to achieve its goals and has indicated it does not want to do so under the legally binding mechanisms of the Kyoto agreement.