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Belgium is 'Fossil of the Day'

On the first day of the Paris Climate Change Summit Belgium won the main prize: the prize "Fossil of the Day" awarded by environmental organisations to the country that performs most badly on a given day. Belgium got the award because its various environment ministers had failed to come up with a joint position ahead of the conference.

Wendel Trio, speaking on behalf of the network of environmental organisations: "Belgium got the prize because Belgian and foreign ngos are outraged that Belgium had lost so much time coming to agreement on its 2020 targets. This at a time when the entire world is considering 'what more can we do?' Belgium is the poorest pupil in the European class and not on track to reach its 2020 targets."

The trophy Belgium is awarded is in the shape of a mini dinosaur.

Greenpeace's Joeri Thijs accepted the award on behalf of Belgium: "Nobody will have missed Belgium's bungling in Paris."

"While Prime Minister Michel got ready for a speech that does not take any risks Belgium becomes Fossil of the Day as a result of its low ambitions and the pittance it offers hardest hit countries. At an international conference like this doing your homework proves your credibility. Our ministers flunked in grandiose style."

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