Brussels, 23/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - To combat climate change successfully on a global scale after 2012, upon expiry of the first Kyoto Protocol period of commitment, it is imperative for the international community to move towards a global and comprehensive legally-binding framework, which concerns all countries, including the “major economies” (including the United States and the emerging countries), and that a timeframe for doing so be established. The EU27 heads of state and government meeting on 13 October in Brussels were adamant about this, advocating that efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions should not be made by just a few countries, in particular those of the European Union. Given the euro crisis, however, combating climate change was not uppermost in the European Council's mind. In less than no time, the heads of state and government put a key message into words that should guide the EU in climate talks with its partners at the UN climate conference to open in less than one month's time in Durban (COP 17, 28 November-9 December), in South Africa.
Their conclusions, which formally finalise the EU negotiating position, simply endorses, at the very highest level, the detailed conclusions adopted by the Environment Council on 10 October and the Ecofin Council of 4 October (EUROPE 10470). They underline the extent to which it is “crucial” for the international community to agree on a global and comprehensive legally-binding framework in order to honour their commitment to ensure that the average rise in temperature is contained below 2°C (compared to the pre-industrial era). The EU27 affirm their resolve to work towards obtaining an “ambitious and balanced outcome” in Durban, building upon what was agreed last year in Cancún (COP 16).
The heads of state and government confirm the “openness of the European Union” to a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol under the conditions set out in detail by the environment ministers, namely that the environmental integrity of that international instrument should be preserved and that negotiations should begin rapidly with a view to concluding a legally-binding global agreement.
The European Council is counting on the G20 in Cannes (3-4 November) to deploy new sources of financing in order to successfully find the $100 billion required annually by 2020 in order to support developing countries' significant mitigation efforts. The final report on funding sources will be published at the G20. The conclusions of the European Council were adopted the day after preparatory ministerial consultation for the COP 17 (20-21 October at Stellenbosch, South Africa). Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard summarised them saying that the good atmosphere during the pre-COP period has not been able to conceal the fact that the world is waiting for the United States and the emerging economies to commit themselves. (AN/transl.jl)