ICC Canada President Claims Partial Victory at Nairobi Climate Change Talks

Inuvik – Tuesday, 21 November 2006 After international climate change negotiations wound up last week, and as ministers from around the world returned to their respective countries, Duane Smith, the President of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (Canada), expressed his disappointment that the Canadian government did not stand in solidarity with other nation states in committing itself to the emission reduction targets established under the Kyoto Protocol. Mr. Smith said that he was pleased that over 100 ministers present in Nairobi adopted the “Nairobi Framework”. The Framework will help developing countries participate in the Kyoto Protocol and financially assist them in adapting to the effects of the changing climate. He especially applauds Canada’s role in concluding the “five-year adaptation program”, and urges Canada to move forward on a national adaptation strategy in consultation with Inuit. He is less than satisfied with Canada’s other input to this 12th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 12). Mr. Smith stated, “while I am encouraged that Rona Ambrose, Canada’s Minster of Environment, recognized in her speech that the Arctic is a vulnerable region when it comes to climate change, and that Inuit will require unique adaptation interventions, I am still disappointed that the government continues to insist it is reasonable to wait until 2050 before we see any real impact on our melting homeland – the Arctic”. “I am glad that the global community is helping other peoples, such as those in Africa and in the small island states that will be partially flooded. But where is Canada on reversing the trend? And why are they not working more closely with those of us who are most affected?” questioned Smith. Mr. Smith made these comments in Canada after reading the text of Ms. Ambrose’s speech back in Canada because the new government’s funding restrictions made it virtually impossible for him to be in Nairobi. “I call upon the Canadian government to help us help them in this urgent matter of climate change.” He noted that it is important  2 for Inuit to be well prepared for next year’s COP 13. ICC hopes the Canadian government will recognize that it needs to be full partners with Inuit in taking on this enormous challenge and that it will be more welcoming and financially supportive of ICC as COP 13 approaches. Contact: Corinne Gray, ICC Canada Executive Director cgray@inuitcircumpolar.com tel: +1 613 563 2642 or Stephanie Meakin, ICC Canada Science Advisor smeakin@ripnet.com tel: +1 613 258 9470 INUIT CIRCUMPOLAR COUNCIL CANADA OFFICE 170 Laurier Avenue W., Suite 504 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1P 5V5 Tel: 613-563-2642 Fax: 613-565-3089 https://www.inuitcircumpolar.com/staging email: icc@inuitcircumpolar.com