HC Deb 03 November 1997 vol 300 cc53-4W
Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if, at the third conference of the parties to the climate change convention in December, he will support the Africa Group's proposals for fair shares in respect of a global limit on emissions. [13013]

Angela Eagle

The Government recognise the importance of long-term reductions in emissions taking into account issues of equality and the need for developing countries to develop their economies and combat poverty. The proposals of the Africa Group merit consideration as one of a number of approaches to the long-term control of greenhouse gas emissions. In the meantime we believe that developed countries must take the lead and agree at Kyoto to making legally binding significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions after 2000. The EU proposal for a 15 per cent. reduction in emissions by 2010 provides the best way of achieving this.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will press at the third climate change convention in December for all industrialised countries to cut their emissions of greenhouse gases by 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2005. [13014]

Angela Eagle

At the Third Conference of the Parties in Kyoto, the Government will be supporting the EU proposal that developed countries reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases by 15 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010, and by at least 7.5 per cent. by 2005. The Government think that it is important that Kyoto sets a target for 2005, and we believe this figure strikes the right balance between ambition and achievability.