NAIROBI/PARIS, 12 July 2001

"The scientific evidence clearly shows that climate change is the most
serious socio-economic and environmental problem facing humanity in the
21st century," said Klaus Töpfer, Executive Director of the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP).

"In Bonn next week, while pushing ahead to ensure immediate short-term
action, governments must also build the basis for a long-term structured
and coordinated response to the problem," he said.

Speaking on the eve of the upcoming climate negotiations, Mr. Töpfer, the
United Nations top environment official, said that to ensure success in
Bonn and to keep the Kyoto Protocol process alive, governments must
concentrate on the following:

1.   Concentrate on reaching a clear common agreement on the rules for
obtaining emissions credits through emissions trading and carbon sinks.

"When these instruments are in place and operational, governments will have
a more complete picture of what it will cost to achieve their Kyoto
emissions targets, and private business will be able to take actions on a
reliable basis," he said.

2.   Concentrate on sending a clear signal to civil society, and especially
the business community, that despite some differences between governments
there is a common commitment for action.

"On the basis of thorough scientific research, all countries agree that we
now have firm proof that climate change is happening. More scientific study
is useful, but this should not be used as an excuse for inaction," said
Töpfer.

"Bonn must be seized as a chance for both the technical experts and
ministers to demonstrate positive international environmental cooperation.
They must build on the 1992 Climate Change Convention and Kyoto by seeking
out and promoting further win-win opportunities and incentives to
corporations and the private sector in general."

"Members of UNEP's Finance Initiatives, which include representatives of
the world's leading financial organizations, will deliver their position on
climate change during the Bonn meeting,' said Töpfer.  "The financial
sector is taking a proactive role on climate change and it is important
that they receive positive signals," he said.

 3.   Concentrate on helping developing countries to fight climate change,
now.

"The recently published Third Assessment Report by the UNEP/WMO
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projected a potentially
devastating global warming of 1.4 - 5.8°C over the coming century. The
expected changes in climate conditions will have negative impacts on
agricultural production, freshwater supplies and sea levels; they will
include new patterns of droughts, floods, storms, disease and health risks.
The poorest will suffer most," Töpfer said.

"In response to this, industrialized countries should strengthen their
financial cooperation with developing countries for creating
climate-friendly economies and adapting to climate change impacts," he
continued.

"In this regard, finalizing the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is also
of the utmost importance.  UNEP is strongly committed to the CDM, which
promises to help developing countries, especially the least-developed
countries and small island developing states to adapt to the consequences
of climate change."

4.   Concentrate on investing in clean energy infrastructure and promoting
technology transfer to developing countries

"The development process, urgently needed to fight poverty, must become
less carbon intensive," said Töpfer.  "We must do everything we can do
integrate clean technologies that have a higher energy efficiency, and also
look for new sources of energy production."

Highlighting recent studies by the World Energy Council (WEC), Mr. Töpfer
said there was room for concrete improvements. "The WEC studies indicate
that the number of new clean energy schemes, government initiatives and
renewable energy projects will, by 2005, save the equivalent of one billion
tonnes of C02 emissions annually. This equates to a saving of over three
per cent in terms of global greenhouse gas emissions emitted in the year
2000."

Stressing the importance of meeting the sustainable energy needs of
developing countries, he also highlighted the importance of the widespread
introduction of wind, solar and other renewables. Referring to the G8
renewable energy task force report that will be released next week, Töpfer
said, "The Task Force has set an ambitious goal - one billion people to get
renewable energy by 2010.  Modern wind turbines, solar panels and
geo-thermal are now state- of-the-art technologies, with more innovations
in the pipeline.  Their ability to provide reliable, competitive and clean
energy cannot be understated."

"Economic development can be achieved without increasing carbon dioxide
emissions," said Töpfer.  He said that the pessimism and gloom hanging over
the climate talks had masked small but real progress towards reducing
emissions.  He noted the progress made in China, which accounts for about
14 per cent of world C02 emissions.

"China has, despite impressive economic growth, managed to reduce its
carbon dioxide emissions by more than 10 per cent since 1996/97.  This has
been achieved by an active effort to promote energy conservation, end coal
subsidies and support more efficient coal-fire power generation.  The fact
that one of the most important countries at the centre of the global
warming debate is acting, and is managing to break the link between growth
and a parallel rise in emissions, offers an important glimmer of hope that
must be built on."

Summing up his views, Mr. Töpfer underlined the need for concrete action in
Bonn next week.  "We must do more, we have to do more and we can do more.
Climate change is not simply an environmental problem but a huge threat to
the overarching goals of poverty reduction and the attainment of
sustainable development worldwide.  I hope governments and civil society,
including private business, will go to the climate discussions with a
positive attitude ? we must avoid an atmosphere of confrontation.  We must
advance the Kyoto mechanisms and keep the process alive."

 Notes to journalists: For more information or to arrange interviews with
Klaus Töpfer in Bonn contact Robert Bisset, UNEP press spokesman for
Europe, on +33-1-4437-7613, fax: +33-1- 4437-1474, cell: +33-6-2272 5842,
email: robert.bisset@unep.fr.  In Nairobi, please contact Tore J. Brevik,
UNEP Spokesman/Director of Communications and Public Information, P.O. Box
30552; tel.:  (254-2) 623292; fax: 623692; email:  cpiinfo@unep.org

 UNEP News Release 01/86

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