Australian
Thursday 30/10/2008 Page: 6
AUSTRALIA can play a key role in climate talks between China and the US and in using its strong bilateral ties with developing nations to help push for a global greenhouse reduction regime. International climate change heavyweight Yvo de Boer warned that "unless the relationship between the US and China on climate is worked out, then the broader picture, a global deal, will be that much harder".
"The dialogue taking place between China, the US and Australia can play a key bridging role," the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change said. Climate experts and representatives from each nation's government and private sectors met in Washington last month at a conference organised by the Global Foundation citizens group to discuss international energy security and climate change.
Mr de Boer told the foundation's Australia Unlimited 2008 Roundtable in Melbourne via video link from New York yesterday that last month's meeting had resulted in progress in cooperation between the big powers before the international climate summit in Copenhagen next year. A delegate at the Washington meeting, World Business Council on Sustainable Development president Bjorn Stigson, told the conference yesterday climate change was a national security issue for the US and China.
"If we don't solve the challenges of climate change, there is the risk of instability in societies," Mr Stigson said. "The markets won't be enough to meet the challenge of global warming we need market mechanisms and good regulation." Mr de Boer said the international community was "overjoyed" when Kevin Rudd ratified the Kyoto Protocol after winning office in November last year. "Australia's new commitment to climate change and its geographic position can see it play a bridging role between developed and developing countries," Mr de Boer said.
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