EU official tells US to ‘lose the attitude’ on climate

The US and Australia should end the "negative attitude" they have displayed in climate change negotiations, EU Environment Commissioner Dimas said as the meeting of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change opened in Brussels.


As the IPCC convened to complete its fourth assessment report, due to be published on Friday, Stavros Dimas lashed out at the US and Australia, saying he “does not comprehend” why Australia has not ratified Kyoto even though 80% of Australians support the protocol.

“The US should end its negative attitude towards international climate change negotiations,” he said.

“We expect from the United States to cooperate closer. It is absolutely necessary that they move because, otherwise other countries, especially the less developing countries, do not have any reason to move.”

Stavros Dimas spoke at the Brussels opening of the IPCC meeting which is expected to deliver the most conclusive evaluation to date of the global impacts of climate change and of what humanity can do to adapt.

Commissioner Dimas told delegates: “The European Community is looking forward to your finalisation of the 4th IPCC assessment report on impacts and adaptation. The fight against climate change can only be won on the basis of sound science.”

Goska Romanowicz

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