A fifty-fifty opinion

ACCORDING to a survey in Australia, opinion is divided among businessmen about the hardline stance of Prime Minister John Howard on greenhouse gas emissions. The survey conducted by the Australian Institute of Company Directors surveyed company directors of various business firms. They were asked whether greenhouse reduction targets should be uniform across all countries. Fifty per cent of the respondents said reduction targets should be uniform, while 48 per cent said targets should be set on the basis of local conditions.

The results contrast with the uncom-promising policy of the Howard govern-ment, which is making an international stand against compulsory uniform gas emission cuts. Australia is arguing that it has special economic needs and uniform cuts would destroy tens and thousands of domestic jobs. Australia will argue this at the climate change summit in Kyoto, Japan this December that it should be allowed to increase its gas emissions. The Howard government has held out against strong international pressure - especially from Europe - for a binding international agreement on significant reductions in gas emissions.