Environment ministers preparing for climate talks

SIKU CIRCUMPOLAR NEWS SERVICE

Environment ministers from more than 30 countries met in Ottawa last weekend to prepare for the new round of negotiations on climate change scheduled for Montreal in November.

“It’s about trying to come to some agreement among countries that have voiced support for action on climate change on what should be the next step,” John Bennett of the Sierra Club told the Canadian Press.

“The Americans will also be there trying to make sure that nothing happens. So it’s really a chance for Canada to demonstrate its diplomatic prowess in bringing together diverse countries.”

The United States is not among those countries that ratified the Kyoto Protocol and agreed to cut greenhouse emissions by an average of about five per cent from 1990 levels by 2012. Canada promised a cut of six per cent, but its emissions have risen by 24 per cent since 1990.

Brigitte Caron, spokeswoman for Dion, told CP Canada’s Kyoto plan includes “major investments,” expected to be announced by the end of the year.