Statement by Mr. Knut Arild Hareide, Minister of the Environment, Norway, COP10, Buenos Aires, 16.12.04

The Climate Convention after 10 years:
Accomplishments and future challenges

Thank you Mr. Chairman,

Dear Friends,

Let me start by saying that there is no excuse for in-action.

We know that the earth’s climate is changing. The global temperature is rising at an alarming rate. People look to us for a forceful political response to the climate challenge.

One month ago the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment was published. The report shows that winter temperatures in some Arctic areas have increased by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius over the last 50 years. Widespread melting of glaciers and sea ice and permafrost present additional evidence of strong Arctic warming. In summer, the permanent ice sheet may be gone by the end of the century.

Many scientists now warn that a changing ice cover in the Arctic will affect the global climate. The clear message is that changes in the Arctic will have consequences for the whole world.

The alarming message from the Arctic Council report underscores the need for political action.

Poor people who depend on nature for their survival are typically the first victims of higher temperatures and its effects on land and water. Drought, desertification, floods and sea level rise threaten millions of people. It reminds me of former UN weapons inspector Hans Blix, who has expressed that he is more worried about global warming than of any major military conflict. And I agree with him; global warming is a larger threat than any major military conflict.

The most important is that we need further action beyond 2012, and we need to discuss this under the Climate Convention. The Kyoto Protocol is only a first step towards achieving the ultimate objective of the Climate Convention. Our response must cover more of the global emissions. We need the broadest possible participation from all countries.

Norway has noted with interest the proposal by the EU to establish long-term goals to limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees. We consider the EU proposal to be a very constructive input to our development of a future climate regime. Norway is therefore interested in working together with the EU and others on this important issue.

Mr. Chairman,

We live in a climate experiment of our own making. We have not seen the most dramatic results yet. But our children and our grandchildren will.Our actions will be judged by history: We may not be able to dramatically change our course overnight. But we can set our feet on the right path for tomorrow.

Thank you for your attention.