Britain and Sweden are the only European countries honouring their
Kyoto commitments to cut greenhouse gasses, according to a
think-tank report.
Although the US is portrayed as the ecological villain for
refusing to sign up to the agreement, 10 out of the 15 European
Union signatories - including Ireland, Italy and Spain - will miss
their targets without urgent action, the Institute for Public
Policy Research found.
France, Greece and Germany are given "amber warnings" and will
only achieve the objectives if planned policies are successfully
carried out.
Tony Grayling, the institute's associate director, said the
world was near the point of no return on climate change. "We have
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."
EU countries would have to adopt tougher limits on emissions
from power stations and heavy industry in the new year as part of
the second phase of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, he said.
Recent figures show carbon dioxide emissions increasing in 13
out of the 15 countries, including Britain, the report says.
The British Government was condemned by its own guru on global
warming earlier this month for failing to meet its targets on
climate change.
Ministers set themselves the target of reducing CO2
emissions by 12.5 per cent from their 1990 levels by 2012, but
Britain's production of the gas has increased by 9 per cent since
1999.
In his first report as head of the Commission for Sustainable
Development, Sir Jonathon Porritt gave colour-coded ratings for
the Government's performance on climate change. CO2
emissions were given red , as were the performances on reducing
waste, lowering water consumption and achieving sustainable
development. All other targets were given amber lights. Ministers
failed to achieve a green light for any if their objectives and
the Government's own Whitehall departments were criticised in the
report for wasting energy and water.
Britain and Sweden are the only European countries honouring their
Kyoto commitments to cut greenhouse gasses, according to a
think-tank report.
Although the US is portrayed as the ecological villain for
refusing to sign up to the agreement, 10 out of the 15 European
Union signatories - including Ireland, Italy and Spain - will miss
their targets without urgent action, the Institute for Public
Policy Research found.
France, Greece and Germany are given "amber warnings" and will
only achieve the objectives if planned policies are successfully
carried out.
Tony Grayling, the institute's associate director, said the
world was near the point of no return on climate change. "We have
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."
EU countries would have to adopt tougher limits on emissions
from power stations and heavy industry in the new year as part of
the second phase of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, he said.
Recent figures show carbon dioxide emissions increasing in 13 out
of the 15 countries, including Britain, the report says.
The
British Government was condemned by its own guru on global warming
earlier this month for failing to meet its targets on climate
change.
Ministers set themselves the target of reducing CO2
emissions by 12.5 per cent from their 1990 levels by 2012, but
Britain's production of the gas has increased by 9 per cent since
1999.
In his first report as head of the Commission for Sustainable
Development, Sir Jonathon Porritt gave colour-coded ratings for
the Government's performance on climate change. CO2
emissions were given red , as were the performances on reducing
waste, lowering water consumption and achieving sustainable
development. All other targets were given amber lights. Ministers
failed to achieve a green light for any if their objectives and
the Government's own Whitehall departments were criticised in the
report for wasting energy and water.