Strasbourg, 20/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - The EU must speak with a single voice at the Copenhagen climate change conference, the chairman of the European Parliament's committee on the environment, public health and food safety, Jo Leinen (S&D), said on Tuesday 20 October, in Strasbourg. He welcomed the fact that his committee had, only the day before, adopted a resolution on EU strategy with a view to the Copenhagen conference (EUROPE 9990).
Jo Leinen explained to the press how important it was to have a united EU position if it hopes to have any clout in the talks in Copenhagen. The resolution, adopted by the parliamentary committee on Monday 19 October by 55 votes to one, and which should go before the Parliament plenary in November, recommends a position “which reflects what the scientific community are telling us”, he said. According to the Commission, the EU must call in favour of a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in industrialised countries by 2020, compared to 1990 levels, with the adoption of similar positions by Japan, Australia and the United States. Mr Leinen also urged Brazil, China and India to respect the action plan developed in Bali in December 2007, which recommends national plans for attenuating emission levels. Furthermore, it would be useful for the European emissions trading system (ETS) to be linked to other similar programmes in other regions, thus creating “the beginnings of a global carbon market”, as Leinen put it. Finally, the EU must support the developing countries by granting them €30 billion each year in aid to help bring emissions down and adjust to climate change. This aid must in no way replace current development aid commitments, the resolution states.
The United States should also ensure that electoral campaign promises made by President Barack Obama are binding, Leinen added. “Obama must come to Copenhagen with binding goals” and not just words, he said. “We're not going to attack the Americans, but to encourage them. The US is between 5 and 10 years behind the EU in this debate. The 8 Bush years are lost years”, said Leinen. (C.D./transl.jl)