In reaction to the publication today (Friday 8 July 2005) of the G8 communique on climate change, Lord May of Oxford, President of the Royal Society, said:

“At the heart of this communique is a disappointing failure by the leaders of the G8 unequivocally to recognise the urgency with which we must be addressing the global threat of climate change. Make no mistake, the science already justifies reversing not merely slowing the global growth of greenhouse gas emissions. It is the responsibility of the leaders of the G8 nations to respond to this. And further delays will make the G8s avowed commitment in this communique to avoid dangerous impacts of climate change extremely difficult.

“The conspicuous failure of the G8 explicitly to mention even the need for targets to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases underlines our concern.

“Opening yet another dialogue is not a sufficient response. We have been talking instead of acting since 1992, when the international community in the form of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change recognised that we are facing an international threat. In its communique the G8 talks of facing a moment of opportunity while, at the same time, turning away from that moment.

“Doing our best to look on the bright side, we welcome the G8s recognition of the undeniable fact that climate change is happening and that it is humans that are largely responsible for it. Furthermore we also welcome the G8s commitment to work with developing countries, to build their own capacity to manage their emissions and to adapt to the effects of climate change.”

In June 2005 the national science academies of the G8 nations, along with China, Brazil and India, published a statement that said the scientific evidence on climate change is now clear enough for the leaders of G8 to commit to take prompt action to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

Original press release: Royal Society reacts to G8 climate change communique (Royal Society)