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G8 set to fail on poverty and climate change
04 June 2007
The G8 is set to fail the 1.1 billion people living in extreme poverty globally, say campaigners from the World Development Movement who will be joining thousands of other peaceful activists participating in the alternative summit and G8 protests. Campaigners aim to challenge the legitimacy of the G8 and put forward positive alternatives for a fairer and more democratic future.
Despite the hubris about ‘Africa’, a recently leaked draft text showed the major world powers focusing on policies to benefit their multinationals, including investment deregulation, a strengthening of intellectual property rights and the opening of markets in raw materials.
Pete Hardstaff, Head of Policy at the World Development Movement said:
“The G8’s decade of failure on poverty and climate change only serves to underline the fact that it is more part of the problem than part of the solution. This year looks like more of the same. The leaked draft is pro-big business and anti-development – and an insult to the millions of people who supported make poverty history. Instead of what we heard at Gleneagles about poor countries determining their own future, the G8 is pushing for market access for big business. Far from tackling the root causes of poverty these policies will lock millions into continued deprivation.”
“On climate change the G8 represents only 13% of the world’s population, but they produce over 43% of all carbon dioxide. Climate change is already killing 160,000 people a year, largely in the developing world. Many millions more will follow if those responsible don’t reduce their emissions.
“Bush's new proposal for a voluntary set of global emissions reduction targets is nothing more than an attempt to derail UN climate change processes. The increase in global temperature needs to be kept below 2 degrees centigrade and binding emission cuts of 80-90 per cent by 2050 are needed from rich countries to achieve this. The G8 countries know what they have to do – reduce their emissions and negotiate an international deal at the UN.
“This self-selecting private members club of the world’s richest countries doesn’t have the will, or the legitimacy needed to tackle the world’s most pressing problems. It’s time for it to go.”
ENDS
Contact:
Beverley Duckworth
Mobile: 07711 875345
Office: 0207 820 4900
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