By Martin Banks - 10th March 2010
Climate change can be controlled only if all major emitters take action
Connie Hedegaard
EU climate action commissioner Connie Hedegaard has outlined commission proposals for "reinvigorating" the UN climate talks.
It comes after what most see as the failure of similar talks in Copenhagen in December.
The commission, she said, will look at the different options for achieving a legally-binding agreement at the next UN climate negotiations in Cancun at the end of the year.
Speaking in parliament in Strasbourg, she said, "Climate change can be controlled only if all major emitters take action.
"Obviously nobody would stronger than myself hope that we could get everything done in Mexico, but the signals coming out of various capitals of big emitters unfortunately do not make that likely.
"In Copenhagen the world had a unique chance and did not use this to its full.
"We now have to secure the momentum and to do our utmost to get specific and substantial results out of Cancun and to secure no later than in South Africa an agreement on the legal form."
She added, "The most convincing leadership Europe can show is to take tangible and determined action to become the most climate friendly region in the world, which will also strengthen our energy security, stimulate greener economic growth and create new jobs."
Reaction to her speech was swift with Green MEP Bas Eickhout saying, "Ensuring a more unified and coherent European presence in the UN climate negotiations is clearly a top priority after the EU's shambolic performance in Copenhagen.
"Much has been said about the need for the EU to 'speak with one voice' and there is a need to make this rhetoric a reality as soon as possible, given the UN climate negotiations are set to get back on track in April.
"It is certainly welcome the commission wants to step up and take on this mantle. This is the most logical way for the EU to play a positive and proactive role in reinvigorating the UN talks."
The commission communication upholds the EU's current target of 20 per cent reductions by 2020, moving to 30 per cent if the conditions are right.
But Friends of the Earth Europe said this "falls short of what is demanded by the latest scientific evidence, and a fair distribution of global emissions".
Its climate campaigner Esther Bollendorff, said, "The EU needs to step up its emission reduction target and commit to at least 40 per cent domestic emission cuts by 2020 compared to 1990 levels."
"The commission still needs to prove that it will be a real driver in transforming Europe into the most climate friendly region of the world."
She added, "Clearly, the current target will not achieve this. In order to achieve a strong and fair international climate agreement, that developing countries will agree to, rich industrialised nations including the EU must recognise their historical responsibility and commit to making 40 per cent domestic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, without offsetting."
Cliona Sharkey, climate expert of CIDSE, the international alliance of Catholic development agencies, welcomed the commission statement as an "important step" in reorienting the EU's strategy.
She said, "What we don't see, however, is the commission proactively pushing member states on the points that continue to undermine the EU's influence.
"This includes the need to move to a more ambitious green house gas emission reduction target that reflects the EU's responsibility and capability, and a commitment that funds to finance climate action will be new, and not diverted aid money."
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