Gormley Welcomes Bali Climate Change Deal

Minister Gormley, who was in Bali for the UN conference on climate change said that the compromise reached was a workable solution. He said the "Bali Roadmap" agreement provided the best opportunity in a decade to get a comprehensive deal on climate change measures involving all countries.

He said: "The most important thing is that the roadmap has been agreed by consensus. All of the countries present at the conference now have a common view of the way forward. The road map sets out the steps which will lead to a new deal on climate change in Copenhagen in 2009.

"I very much welcome the fact that the United States has joined with the rest of the world in a common understanding of the way forward. The US is now inside the tent with the European Union and the rest of the world, working together for a global solution.

"It is my hope that Ireland will play an enhanced role in discussions in the lead up to a comprehensive deal on climate change by the end of 2009."

The deal recognises that all countries in the world have an obligation and role to play in tackling climate change, but the richest countries must take on the greater responsibilities.

Minister Gormley added: "It provides the mechanisms that will support the poorer countries in developing their economies while limiting their growth in emissions, such as for example assisting them in getting access to and developing clean technology."

It also contains important provisions to help them adapt to inevitable climate change which will impact most greatly on them.

"Although the Bali deal does not mention binding targets the European Union was seeking, I very much welcome the compromise reached," Minister Gormley said.

"The roadmap recognises that very significant cuts are needed in greenhouse gases following on the clear scientific evidence presented this year by the Intergovernmental  Panel on Climate Change."