Kyoto created the opportunity for significant progress in the struggle against climate change. Buenos Aires must build on that opportunity and demonstrate that real progress can be made. And for good reason.
Energy is the main source of the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
That is why the International Energy Agency, which is made up of the industrialised nations and which maintains close links with other producing and consuming countries, has been deeply involved in the climate issue for many years. Energy ministers of the IEA have stated and restated their commitment to address the problem early and energetically. Still other energy enterprises have pledged themselves to action as members of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. All this is cause for optimism. Also promising is the fact that policies and measures for really effective action in the energy field are at hand, although few of them are easy.