GREENPEACE CALLS ON UK, IRELAND, DENMARK AND ICELAND TO RELINQUISHALL CLAIMS TO OIL AND GAS RESERVES IN THE DISPUTED SEAS AROUND ROCKALL
London, 16 June 1997
Greenpeace has called upon the Governments of Denmark, Ireland, Iceland and the UK to relinquish their claims to the oil and gas reserves in the disputed area around Rockall for the good of the global commons.
In a letter addressed to the Ministers of Foreign affairs and Environment of each country, Greenpeace said, "We ask you to immediately give serious consideration to relinquishing any right to exploit the oil and gas reserves contained in this area and to agree to promote instead positive non-development."
The disputed territory around Rockall is one of over 15 current cases of international maritime disputes involving rights to exploit oil and/or natural gas. In some cases these disputes have led to violence and loss of life, for example in the Spratly Islands dispute in the China Seas where four countries are fighting over the rights to exploit the oil resources. Global climate change dictates that, in order to keep to United Nations estimates for ecological limits for climate change, the world cannot afford to burn more than a quarter of known fossil fuel reserves.
At a time when climate change impacts are discernible, sustainable conflict resolution requires the agreement not to exploit. Action of this kind by these countries, would set a beneficial precedent for other states to resolve similar resource conflicts, as well as a much needed incentive for the promotion and development of alternative, renewable sources of energy.
The letter reminded the countries of the commitments adopted in Rio de Janeiro five years ago, including the Framework Convention on Climate Change. In signing the framework Convention, Governments agreed to stabalise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. This means in principle, that the use of fossil fuels should be seriously reduced, and this will be impossible to meet if the offshore industry continues to expand.
Greenpeace campaigner Simon Reddy said, "These countries have the opportunity to make an historic decision. By relinquishing all claims for oil and gas in the disputed area, they will not only make the most significant stand against climate change to date, but begin a new way for resolving conflict. We urge these governments to give this very serious thought, the consequences of their actions will have lasting effects, potentially terrible ones if they say no."
Notes to correspondents:
1) On Sunday 15th June 1997, Greenpeace declared the Global State of Waveland and rejected existing governance of Rockall which it had seized six days earlier.
2) Briefing paper, `Oil and global insecurity' available on request.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Greenpeace Press Office on +(44) 0171-865 8255/6/7/8