This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/6456863.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
G8 assesses cost of species loss | |
(1 day later) | |
Environment ministers from the G8 have agreed to a study of the economic costs globally of species becoming extinct as a result of climate change. | |
German minister Sigmar Gabriel said the destruction of biodiversity was "not just an issue for birdwatchers." | |
The loss of plant and animal species was an economic disaster fuelling poverty in many areas, he said. | |
Ministers agreed the review should be along the lines of last year's report by the economist Sir Nicholas Stern. | |
Ministers from Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa are also attending the two-day talks in the eastern German city of Potsdam. | |
Germany's environment minister said 150 species were being lost to extinction every day. | |
"We agreed on the need for a report on the economic cost of biodiversity destruction, modelled on the Stern Report," Sigmar Gabriel said. | |
"We wanted to highlight the economic value of biodiversity and also the dangers for our economic prosperity caused by biodiversity loss," Mr Gabriel added. | |
The Stern report estimated that climate change could cost between 5% and 20% of annual gross domestic product. | |
'No new deal' | 'No new deal' |
Ahead of the talks, Mr Gabriel said the meeting was about bridging the gap between industrialised and developing nations. | |
class="" href="/1/hi/sci/tech/6432217.stm">Species 'vital' to economics "We must guard against giving developing nations the impression that the developed world expects them to carry our share of the burden," he said. | |
He said that the meeting would not bring a new deal, but was more of a chance to discuss the issues. | He said that the meeting would not bring a new deal, but was more of a chance to discuss the issues. |
They will also discuss cutting greenhouse gas emissions and how to replace the Kyoto Protocol. | |
"We are going to speak about the barriers that have until now held back international climate change negotiations and how to break them," he said. | "We are going to speak about the barriers that have until now held back international climate change negotiations and how to break them," he said. |
G8 heads of state are expected to focus on climate change at talks in Germany's Heiligendamm in June. | G8 heads of state are expected to focus on climate change at talks in Germany's Heiligendamm in June. |
World environment ministers are also due at a UN conference on the issue in Bali in December. | World environment ministers are also due at a UN conference on the issue in Bali in December. |
Last week, European Union leaders agreed to slash carbon dioxide emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by the year 2020 at a climate change summit in Brussels. | Last week, European Union leaders agreed to slash carbon dioxide emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by the year 2020 at a climate change summit in Brussels. |
But tackling the issues hinges on the response of heavy polluters outside the EU - the US, China and India. | But tackling the issues hinges on the response of heavy polluters outside the EU - the US, China and India. |
Previous version
1
Next version