The Minister for the Environment has joined politicians and environmentalists worldwide to protest the decision of US President Mr George W Bush to reject the 1997 Kyoto Treaty.
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Minister for the Environment Mr Dempsey
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Mr Dempsey said he deeply regretted the move and would be meeting with EU colleagues to assess the implications on the world community.
He said there was clear scientific evidence that climate change is real and that emissions from the developed world is the main contributor to global warming.
Mr Dempsey said he remained committed to the need for the State to meet its obligations on reducing emissions.
Chairman of the Progressive Democrats Mr John Minihan has called on the Taoiseach to contact Mr Bush and urge him not to go ahead with his decision.
He said the Government cannot "stand idly by without criticising Mr George Bush for putting the treaty in jeopardy."
The 1997 Kyoto Protocol commits industrialized nations to cut their greenhouse gas levels to an average 5.2 per cent below the 1990 level by 2008-2012.
But it does not include developing countries and allows some industrial nations who are big users of coal and petroleum, such as Australia, to continue to increase emissions.