Brussels, 13/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - So as not to have to pay penalties for failing to meet its commitments, Canada is withdrawing from the Kyoto Protocol, thus far the only binding international deal for tackling climate change. Justifying the decision taken on 12 December, the day after negotiators from across the world reached an agreement by the skin of their teeth at the Durban COP 17 talks on climate change, Canada's Environment Minister Peter Kent said that the Kyoto Protocol would not lead to an over-arching solution to climate change, being more of an obstacle than anything else. Ahead of the Durban talks, like Japan and Russia, Canada made no attempt to hide its opposition to a new commitment period under the Kyoto deal. After the Durban talks, Kent told French newspaper Le Monde that the Durban platform showed great promise. Environmental pressure group Friends of the Earth (FoE) immediately slammed the decision. Mike Childs of FoE UK said that Canada's decision to leave the Kyoto climate deal and focus on fossil fuel would cost it, and future generations, dearly. By ignoring climate change and forcing polluting fuel on the rest of the world, Canada is creating a dangerous dead end for its people and economy alike. At the same time, said Childs, countries like Germany, the UK and many developing countries will “remain open for business as they lead the way in tackling climate change and developing clean energy”. (AN/transl.fl)