Brussels, 24/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - Leading by example to convince the others to take resolute action to tackle climate change. This is the strategy the EU decided on ahead of the global climate summit held in New York on Tuesday 23 September convened by Ban Ki-moon, to give a political shot in the arm to international negotiations still mired in difficulties (see EUROPE 11160). This was the basis of the speech made by José Manuel Barroso, who is anxious to show, in this parade of fine promises, that the EU, the only region of the world which has made a binding commitment to cut its emissions by 2020, has already succeeded in unbundling its growth and its emissions and is preparing to make a decision, this October, on a new target for 2030. The European Union also had a reassuring message for the developing countries in terms of funding the adaptation efforts of the poorest and most vulnerable countries. The Green Climate Fund, which is still empty at the moment, is starting to fill up with the promises made by France and Germany in particular, each of which have pledged $1 billion over four years.
“In the critical run-up to Paris, the European Union is leading by example. The European Commission has proposed an ambitious reduction target of 40% of domestic emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, plus a renewables target of at least 27% and energy savings of 30%”, announced Barroso, confident that the heads of state and government of the EU will strike a deal at the European summit of 23 and 24 October. “These targets are milestones on the way to our broader objective of cutting emissions by 80% to 95% by 2050. In effect, we are in the process of de-carbonising Europe's economy. So, the EU will be ready”, he said, urging “those countries with the greatest responsibilities and capabilities to table their contributions by March 2015 at the latest”
As regards funding for the fight against climate change, Barroso underlined the EU's objective of dedicating 20% of its overall budget to climate action - in other words, €180 billion inside and outside the EU by 2020. Furthermore, “over the next seven years, the EU aims to allocate more than €3 billion in grants to support sustainable energy in developing countries”, he said. In total, it is €14 billion in public funds that the EU will mobilise outside its borders.
The previous day, Barroso signed statements with five African countries (Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Togo and Rwanda) translating their commitment to increase their populations' access to sustainable energy sources, including in rural areas. Out of the €3.3 billion in seven years, €2 billion will be for African countries. “Paris must be the starting point for a new development for the world”, said France's President François Hollande - who will host the UN conference (COP 21, at the end of 2015) at which a global climate agreement is due to be concluded that will be legally binding with the whole world on board. US President Barack Obama underlined that “as the two largest economies and emitters in the world, we have a special responsibility to lead. That's what big nations have to do.” China's Deputy Premier Zhang Gaoli reiterated his country's commitment to reducing the carbon intensity of its economy (by40-45% by 2020) and announced that China is committed to reaching a peak in emissions followed by a reduction as quickly as possible. (AN)