Environment Minister Jacqueline Cramer doesn’t want to focus too much on fixed percentages for greenhouse gas reduction during the upcoming environment summit in the Danish city of Copenhagen. She believes it is far more important that all the participants promise to limit a global increase in temperature to two degrees Celsius.

In December, representatives from more than 190 countries will meet in Copenhagen to produce a treaty to succeed the Kyoto Protocol in 2012. One of the biggest stumbling blocks they face is agreement on the limitation of greenhouse gases. Ms Cramer says any agreement they do reach should not focus too rigidly on percentages. She says a more flexible approach is needed to bring on board countries such as the United States, which has been sceptical about such reductions.

That said, Ms Cramer has let it be known that she believes the current reduction of 19 percent in greenhouse gases sought by the countries involved is inadequate.

Photo of Jacqueline Cramer by ANP