Luxembourg, 28/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - Following on from the European Council which sealed agreement on the 2030 climate/energy framework (see EUROPE 11184), EU environment ministers welcomed the progress and, in Luxembourg on Tuesday 28 October, adopted unanimous conclusions on the united, strong position that the EU will argue at the Lima climate conference (COP 20, 1-12 December 2014), the final intermediate stage before the Paris conference (COP 21, December 2015).
European Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard, whose commitment to climate change matters was hailed by all, stressed that the green climate fund had to be enhanced and that the member states had to find a way to compare the differing levels of commitment on greenhouse gas reduction.
The Council, preoccupied by the latest IPCC conclusions, stresses that global warming is not a matter of any doubt whatsoever. It stresses the urgent need for resolute global action and highlights the importance of adopting an ambitious and legally binding agreement applicable to all parties in Paris in 2015 and the importance of the outcome of the Lima conference in meeting this challenge. The Council keenly awaits the presentation in Lima of the first multilateral assessment of the progress made towards achievement of the targets set for 2020.
With the mandate granted it by the European Council (a reduction of at least 40% in emissions, at least 27% energy savings and 27% renewables in the energy mix), the EU is very well prepared for Lima.
The EU and its member states are already applying the Doha amendment on the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and it is likely to exceed its 2020 targets, the conclusions say. The Council states that the Lima conference should identify the key elements for a draft negotiating text which will be the basis for work on the future global agreement, the first draft of which is expected to be ready by may 2015. (AN)