In a statement at the UN climate change talks in Poland, the South African Government released a statement which warned Australia would put a post-Kyoto deal in jeopardy if it failed to adopt a 2020 target of at a least 25% cut in emissions below 1990 levels. South African Environmental Affairs Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk said all rich countries must commit to ‘deep, absolute domestic emissions cuts’ of 80-95% by 2050 and 25-40% by 2020. ‘Japan, Russia, Australia and Canada have avoided putting their numbers on the table for too long’ the statement said.