G8 condemned over climate action

The G8 has been criticised this week for ‘falling short’ on climate change action by conservation group WWF, following its final communiqué from St. Petersburg. Despite renewables and energy efficiency being on the agenda during the three-day summit, a conclusive direction was not agreed.

A reference to the Kyoto Protocol, which the US famously refused to ratify, underlined the difference of opinion within the G8.

"Climate change has stayed at the heads of State level, and that's where it belongs, but there is still a gap between the scale of the problem and the solutions being offered,” said Jennifer Morgan, Director of WWF's Global Climate Change Programme.

"Saving energy is the best solution to both climate change and increasing energy security. While St Petersburg gives energy efficiency more importance it still lacks a serious initiative with money and mandatory policies."