Environmentalists slam French president's support for smelter

While Commonwealth leaders were meeting to conclude their declaration on climate change ahead of next month's Copenhagen conference, a coalition of interest groups formed to raise environmental awareness was heaping scorn on French President Nicolas Sarkozy for saying that Trinidad and Tobago's proposed aluminium smelter is no threat to the environment.

Sarkozy, who is attending the Commonwealth summit as a special guest, told reporters an aluminium smelter like the one Trinidad and Tobago is building is not in conflict with the goal of combating climate change. He also suggested that industrial development by itself is not a threat to the environment.

He said the suggestion that development and the protection of the environment are in conflict "belongs to the 20th century".

He said, "What we are suggesting is...financial aid and assistance to modernise and upgrade your industry, and through technological transfer to be able to subscribe to the principle of sustainable development."

The French leader suggested that the real objective for nations such as Trinidad and Tobago is to have carbon-free growth and noted that the wealthy nations would be prepared to help with finance and technology transfers.

Read the Trinidad Express story: Smelter support

"President Sarkozy is ’farse and out of place’ to come to our country and tell us to accept smelters...We are sure that he cannot simply plant a smelter anywhere in France or in the middle of Paris, at his leisure. His statements are unacceptable," one speaker at the environment forum declared.

Environmental activists have called the Trinidad and Tobago government hypocritical for presenting itself to the Commonwealth and the world as a defender of the environment when the reality is that it has shown no regard for protecting the environment.

The opposition United National congress (UNC) has also complained about the government's record.

In a comprehensive document submitted to Commonwealth leaders, Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh outlined some of the issues that demonstrate the government's double speak on the issue.

Gopeesingh noted that the country's nine ammonia and seven methanol plants are contributing to the production of 33 tonnes of harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually.

In addition the large per capita vehicle count of more than 400,000 vehicles for 1.3 million citizens adds to the problem, he said.

Gopeesingh said despite widespread protests from the citizens and a Judicial ruling against the continuation of construction of an Aluminum Smelter (ALUTRINT) the government "arrogantly pursues its continued construction".

He said for the last eight years the Manning administration has shown no interest in following the recommendations from the international agreements and conventions for the protection of the environment and has failed to produce even one Green Paper on climate change issues.

Read the story: Opposition sends climate report to CHOGM