The EU Is Clearing Sending A Signal Of Political Leadership
“The EU is now sending a forceful and clear signal to other countries in the run-up to the climate meeting in Copenhagen.
We are prepared to show the political leadership necessary to save the climate and reach an agreement in Copenhagen that will keep global warming to under two degrees Centigrade.” This was the statement made by Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren on Wednesday after the EU environment ministers agreed on Council Conclusions in the area of climate ahead of the meeting in Copenhagen.
The most important features of the agreement are:
* Long-term targets for the EU of 80–95 per cent emissions reductions by 2050 compared with 1990 levels.
* Limitations on emissions from international aviation and shipping by 10 and 20 per cent respectively by 2020 compared with 2005 levels, within the framework of international agreements. This is an area with a major and growing impact on the climate.
* Clarification of EU demands on industrialised countries and developing countries alike. Industrialised countries are to reduce their emissions by 25–40 per cent by 2020. The reductions of developing countries will be 15–30 per cent compared with a situation in which no measures had been taken.
* Apart from previously specified criteria determined by the Council in March, the target of a maximum two-degree rise in temperature is now being emphasised as the benchmark when other countries’ emissions reductions are assessed.
* Clarification of EU views on how to combat deforestation and conduct sustainable forestry, and of the contributions of the agricultural and forestry sectors to achieve the climate goals.
* Clarification of EU views on surplus emission allowances, which can affect EU environmental ambitions. There was agreement that the Assigned Amount Unit cap (AAU – maximum carbon emissions allowed) will be further dealt with within the framework of the environment ministers’ group, aiming at an agreement before Copenhagen.
“The EU now has a full mandate to play a proactive role in the negotiations. All the countries’ ministers have contributed constructively to reach consensus,” said Mr Carlgren.
Topics: agriculture, carbon emission, climate change, deforestration, emission reductions, environment, Europe, forestry, leadership
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