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Message from Mr Jacques CHIRAC, President of the Republic for the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on climate change and to the Kyoto Protocol.
Nairobi, 15 november 2006.
Mr President,
Mr Conference Chair,
Ministers and Heads of Delegation,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
You have gathered in Nairobi to take the decisions required by adverse climate change. I wish to inform you of France's great concern and determination in this matter.
Sir Nicholas Stern's recent report has for the first time quantified the enormous cost of inaction. It demonstrates, if any proof were needed, the urgency of immediate, ambitious collective action. But the truth is that international mobilisation remains terribly insufficient.
Of course, over 160 countries have ratified the Kyoto Protocol. But implementation of that Protocol is seriously compromised at present, even though this is no more than a minimum commitment.
Implementation is compromised by those major industrialised countries, which have refused to follow the path of collective action and continue to allow their greenhouse gas emissions to increase.
It is compromised by those who have ratified the Protocol and are now going back on that commitment or not applying its provisions.
It is compromised by all those, whether in industrialised or emerging countries, who refuse to consider quantified long-term commitments.
It is compromised by all those who claim that vague voluntary commitments or some technological miracle will be enough to solve the problem.
France has accepted all its responsibilities. Because continuing to do nothing would be irresponsible. It would mean allowing climate change to become a threat not only to development, but also to international peace and security.
That is why France is careful to apply strictly the obligations we accepted under the Kyoto Protocol. Our CO2 emissions, at less than 40% of the OECD average, have stabilised. For the long term, we have undertaken to reduce them by 75% by the year 2050. Christian de Boissieu's report on the "Factor 4 Objective" provides us with data that shows this is economically feasible without having a negative impact on growth. We are already preparing the incentives and regulations required to achieve this objective.
For the Kyoto Protocol is only the first step. A further framework for action is needed for the period beginning in 2012. Together with the European Union, France is proposing an effective and enhanced multilateral regime.
This regime will need to set even more ambitious emission reduction commitments for all the industrialised countries from 2012 onward.
It will need to involve the emerging countries more effectively, for their emissions are rapidly increasing, and lead them to adopt less carbon-intensive models of economic growth. Technology transfer must be made easier for those countries that make this commitment.
The new regime will need to adopt a system to help the poorest countries adapt to climate change.
Even more than the Kyoto Protocol, it will need to combine the use of market mechanisms and taxation with binding commitments.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Under the pretext that the disasters announced have not occurred, some people want us not to act, want to maintain the illusion that they will be able to avoid this common endeavour by some sort of magic.
But the choice is not between economic growth and combatting against climate change. It is between climate disaster and development that respects the environment.
We must stop thinking that action against climate change is a constraint! Faced with the deterioration in the climate and the depletion of natural resources, we must realise that the future belongs to those who invent a pattern of economic growth that restores the ecological balance of our planet.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In February 2007, I shall be holding a meeting in Paris for those who wish to join the vanguard of international mobilisation to carry forward this vision of our common future. I trust that your work here in Nairobi will contribute to that ambition in the service of future generations.
Thank you.
(unofficial translation )
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