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Environmental Issues in the G-8 Summit Process Fact Sheet released by the Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs, U.S. Department of State, May 8, 1998

Six important environmental issues have received prominent attention throughout the Birmingham Summit process: climate change; the Forest Action Program; environment and employment; environmental crime; protection of marine biodiversity; and children's health.

Climate Change. The G-8 will continue to focus on implementation of the Kyoto Protocol to the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, including the need for meaningful participation by key developing countries. The G-8 will also address the need to define the rules and procedures for market-based international emissions trading and project-based joint implementation among countries with emissions targets.

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), a clearinghouse for greenhouse gas mitigation projects, is one way the Protocol helps developing countries address their greenhouse gas emissions levels. The CDM can also provide strong incentives for companies in developed countries to participate in mitigation projects, and the resulting technology transfer will likely prove invaluable to developing countries as they seek to continue on their sustainable development paths.

In preparation for the Fourth Conference of Parties (COP-4) to be held in Buenos Aires in November 1998, the G-8 will discuss domestic steps necessary to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the G-8 will explore ways to ensure an enforceable, accountable, verifiable, open and transparent emissions trading system and an effective compliance regime. Other topics will include further development of flexible market-based incentives and cooperative efforts with developing countries.

Forest Action Program. Leaders at the 1997 Summit in Denver agreed to support a U.S. proposal to develop a practical G-8 Forest Action Program that will promote sustainable forest management worldwide. The Denver Communique called for a progress report at this year's Birmingham Summit. The Foreign Ministers approved the Forest Action Program at the May 8-9 Ministerial meeting in London. They also committed to assess the implementation of the Program at the Year 2000 G-8 Summit in Japan.

The Forest Action Program covers five areas: to assess and monitor the state of the G-8's own forests; to develop and implement strong national forest conservation programs; to establish protected areas; to eliminate illegal logging and illegal timber trade; and to harness the resources of the private sector. The Action Program is critical to stemming the tide of deforestation and promoting practical approaches to sustainable forest management that reflect environmental, ecological, social, and economic values.

Environment and employment. G-8 Environment Ministers met at Leeds Castle, Kent, on April 3-5. They agreed that environmental policy provides opportunities and challenges for job creation across the economy; committed to information exchange on successful domestic programs, and agreed that successful economies will be those that best manage the transformation to cleaner and more efficient use of natural resources.

Environmental Crime. The Environmental Ministers agreed to continue to fight illegal trade in CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances; hazardous wastes, and protected species; to strengthen cooperation with developing countries to promote enforcement of multilateral environmental agreements; to share information and cooperate in efforts to detect and prosecute transboundary environmental violations in accordance with national and international laws and procedures; and, to undertake national activities to significantly raise public awareness.

Oceans Conservation and Marine Biodiversity. The Environment Ministers identified oceans conservation as a vital and integral part of global biodiversity, and one that will remain threatened without concerted international action. The Environment Ministers called for greater public awareness and for action to be focused particularly at the regional level. The G-8 Summit Process addresses the need for greater and more coordinated action on the protection of the ocean environment, including regional initiatives, and supports renewed efforts to implement existing international agreements and initiatives. An example of one such initiative is the 1995 Global Program of Action on the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities, which the United States considers a major contribution to international efforts to implement the recommendations of the U.N. Conference on Environment and Development.

Children's Health. The Environment Ministers renewed their commitment to take action to reduce environmental hazards that pose threats to children, and welcomed the efforts of the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, and the OECD to improve protection of children's health.

Other Environmental Issues. A number of other environmental issues will be discussed throughout Birmingham Summit process, including an endorsement of the steps agreed to by the Environment Ministers in Leeds to combat environmental crimes. On the issue of freshwater, discussion will focus on key principles, such as reliance on a watershed approach that takes into account all sources that impact a specific area (e.g., the Chesapeake Bay or the Everglades); public involvement; and the need to consider of water as a resource with environmental, social, and economic value.

The Summit will also endorse the U.N. Environment Program and its new Executive Director, Klaus Toepfer; welcome the successful replenishment of the Global Environment Facility; encourage full implementation of the Desertification Convention; and recognized the need to take action on the problems that persistent organic pollutants pose to human health.

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