Brasília, July 4, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Brazil and Japan are co-presidents of a meeting in Tokyo to conduct an open debate, without being bound to prepare official agreements, on how the Kyoto Protocol, which can take effect this year, is being managed. The meeting is being attended by representatives of countries which, during the ECO 92 Meeting, set targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. The debate encompasses the tension between developed countries, such as the US and Australia, which have already declared they will not adhere to the proposal, and developing countries, such as Brazil, India, and China. Rich countries, which have large industrial sectors and, consequently, are big polluters, question the targets that were set, as well as the decision to exempt developing countries from complying with the agreement.
The Kyoto Protocol determines that countries such as Russia, China, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and India, which are responsible for the greatest part of greenhouse gas emissions, reduce their emissions 5% by 2012. In order for the agreement to go into effect, two conditions have to be satisfied: The emissions of signers of the agreement have to amount to at least 55% of total planetary gas emissions, and at least 55 countries have to subscribe to the agreement. According to Itamaraty, 110 countries have already ratified the document.
The Brazilian government has led the resistance by developing countries to the establishment of gas emission targets. The Brazilian argument is that the wealthiest countries, who are most responsible for current levels of air pollution, should shoulder the heaviest burden of environmental obligations.
The meeting, which ends today, is also being attended by representatives of South Africa, Germany, Australia, Canada, China, South Korea, the United States, Iran, India, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
During their stay in Tokyo, the members of the Brazilian delegation should also meet with Japonese governmental, academic, entrepreneurial, and industrial representatives, to discuss renewable energy sources, especially fuel alcohol, and their environmental implications. (DAS)
