EU puts cards on table in Copenhagen run-up

It says its members will be pressing for an ‘ambitious and comprehensive/ agreement that will prevent global warming from rising above 2°C – the ‘danger level’ accepted by most climate change models.

The bloc claims that the scientific consensus suggests this mean industrialised countries should cut their emissions by 25-40% by 2020, on a 1990 baseline, which would give developing countries room for more modest cuts of 15-30% during this period.

This is likely to remain a bone of contention, with many developing countries claiming they have a right to grow at a pace dictated by their economies, with the responsibility for cuts resting with the industrialised countries alone.

At this stage the EU says it will cut its emissions by 20% regardless of what comes out of Copenhagen, and will commit to 30% if other industrialised countries are prepared to do the same.

Current commitments on the table would see the industrialised states reach collective cuts of just 9-16.5% and the EU accepts it faces a ‘formidable political challenge’ in reaching an effective agreement.

The Europeans say the essential elements are:

Binding emission reductions by all industrialised countries based on comparable efforts;

Appropriate action by developing countries to limit emissions;

A framework for action on adaptation to climate change;

Action to reduce deforestation and forest degradation and promote sustainable forest management in tropical regions;

Updated accounting rules for emissions from land-use, land-use change and forestry;

An expanded international carbon market to generate financial support for developing countries and promote cost-effective emission cuts;

Provision of international public finance to developing countries to supplement financial flows from the carbon market and domestic investment;

A comprehensive package on technology cooperation and funding to accelerate development of a low-carbon global economy.

Sam Bond