By Martin Banks - 28th October 2009
It is important the EU and US work together in achieving this
Richard Folland
The American chamber of commerce to the EU says the EU-US relationship will be a "key factor" to reaching international agreement on tackling climate change in Copenhagen in December.
Speaking on Wednesday, Richard Folland, who chairs AmCham's climate change policy group, also called for a "comprehensive" deal in Copenhagen.
He said, "We support the EU in its efforts to tackle climate change and appreciates the leading role it has taken. We need a global deal but it is important the EU and US work together in achieving this."
He added, "We believe that all EU policy areas must be harnessed to address this global challenge. One critical area is trade policy, which has an inextricable link with climate change initiatives."
He would not be drawn on criticism by some, including Green Party MEPs, that the EU's 20 per cent target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions are not sufficiently ambitious.
Folland said the chamber, which represents US companies investing in Europe, had published a "wish list" for the UN summit in Denmark.
Its priorities include:
- an agreement being secured between developed and developing countries
- on a medium-term and long-term common vision and co-operation to
- tackle climate change in the 21st century;
- emphasis on a strong institutional and compliance regime;
- safeguards for business competitiveness and a level playing-field
- internationally, notably through impact assessment;
- an agreement on clear financial mechanisms that support the
- development of the global carbon market and
- safeguards for technology transfer and intellectual property.
Climate change and, in particular, the thorny issue of how the EU can help developing countries such as India and Brazil, meet the cost of achieving CO2 reduction targets will be discussed at a summit of EU heads of state later this week.
