§ Mr. David AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the terms of the agreement reached by the industrial countries' meeting in Noordwijk, concerning emissions of carbon dioxide; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierI have today placed a copy of the Noordwijk declaration on atmospheric pollution and climate change in the Library. I am pleased that the United Kingdom was able to play a part in securing agreement on carbon dioxide emissions contained in the declaration, but this is only one of a number of important conclusions. I also very much welcome the unanimous commitment to the early negotiation of a framework convention on climate change.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he can give of the total reduction of British emissions of carbon dioxide which will be achieved as a result of the conference and agreement reached at Noordwijk.
§ Mr. TrippierThe agreement reached at Noordwijk was for a stabilisation of CO2 emissions as a first step by industrialised nations. The detailed basis for such a stabilisation, together with options for a longer-term target regime are to be considered at the second world climate conference in the light of the IPCC interim report.