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Global Climate Change Digest
A Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depletion
Published July 1988 through June 1999

FROM VOLUME 3, NUMBER 9, SEPTEMBER 1990

NEWS...
ECONOMIC SUMMIT

Item #d90sep91

No specific commitments for reducing greenhouse gases emerged from the July 1990 economic summit of the Group of Seven industrial countries (G-7) held in Houston. The conference statement affirms the commitment of the G-7 to limiting greenhouse gas emissions, but defers to the results of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the November World Climate Conference to begin the development of a global climate convention. However, the group presented plans to increase forested land and negotiate a global forest convention, called for emphasis on energy efficiency and alternative energy sources, and recommended multilateral bank programs to protect the environment and promote energy efficiency. Environmental groups, holding a simultaneous "Envirosummit" in Houston, gave West Germany the highest rating of the G-7 countries because it intends to reduce carbon dioxide emissions 25 percent over the next 15 years (see NEWS NOTES, this Global Climate Change Digest issue--Sep. 1990). Other G-7 nations were urged to make similar commitments. The United States placed fifth and was criticized for opposing immediate steps on curtailing greenhouse gas emissions. See Environ. Rptr. Curr. Devel., pp. 512-513, July 20, 1990 and pp. 482-483, July 13; Greenhouse Effect Rep., p. 55, July.