EU Skeptical On Double Secret Probation Climate Treaty - AFP

[hatrack]

The European Union expressed scepticism on Thursday about a new pact between the United States and five Asia-Pacific nations aimed at cutting greenhouse gases in the future.

A spokeswoman for environment commissioner Stavros Dimas said the EU had not been in direct contact with the parties over the accord, but that she believed it did not set mandatory targets to reduce the gases that cause global warming.

"We are not very convinced that a voluntary agreement of this sort will have the significant impact which we need to combat climate change," said the spokeswoman, Barbara Helfferich. She also said she believed the agreement, announced in Laos earlier on Thursday and focused on using clean technologies rather than coal, could not be seen as a substitute for the Kyoto climate change treaty.

"We believe, if that is the case, we have always supported clean technologies, but it can certainly not substitute for any commitment in terms of a Kyoto-like agreement," she said.

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/2005/050728100007.fbbe6vb2.html

[phantom power]

1. This "voluntary compliance" theme is illogical on so many levels.

I'll never understand what the point of even drawing up a "pact" is, if it's all voluntary. It's a waste of paper.

"We all agree to try and reduce CO2 emissions. Unless we really don't want to. (and by the way, none of us really wants to)"

It's just fucking insane.