Environmental Defense Fund Praises Final Kyoto Climate Agreement

(11 December, 1997 ? Kyoto, Japan) The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) today praised the final agreement that emerged from the Kyoto Climate Conference in Japan as a critical first step toward stabilizing the Earth’s climate.

“The Kyoto Protocol represents a watershed moment in the history of environmental protection and international diplomacy, but there’s still much more work to be done to assure that the Protocol’s targets are met,” said Fred Krupp, EDF executive director. “The Protocol has the potential to redirect the Earth from the path of an overheating climate and to a safer world.”

“In the end, the negotiators set aside many of their differences for the sake of the planet,” said EDF chief scientist and atmospheric physicist Michael Oppenheimer. “The agreement represents a challenge to governments to turn the Protocol’s good intentions into a political reality. The Protocol is a good start on protecting the Earth, but it must be looked at as part of a longer process. Efforts to strengthen the Protocol, including increasing participation by developing countries, will be needed from the international community in the years to come.”

“The Protocol affirms the importance of emissions trading in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, details on the critical elements necessary for this Protocol to function, such as compliance and the rules for trading are yet to be determined. The Protocol’s promise will only translate into real environmental gains for the planet if the commitments made in Kyoto are fully implemented, and early reductions of greenhouse gases are achieved,” said Dan Dudek, EDF senior economist.

“Vice President Gore should be commended for coming to Japan and opening the doors to an agreement,” said Krupp.