Brussels, 06/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - The UN climate conference in Lima (COP 20, 1-12 December) must be the springboard for the conclusion, in Paris (COP 21, December 2015) of an ambitious global climate agreement with everyone on board, that will keep global warming below two degrees Celsius, stated the members of the European Parliament environment committee in Brussels on Wednesday 5 November.
The resolution they adopted (by the wide majority of 56 votes to 2, with 9 abstentions) is an argument for the EU to play a leading role in this preparatory stage and contribute to its success, notably by keeping the pledge made by the EU and its member states in Copenhagen in 2009 collectively to mobilise €100 billion per year from 2020 to help developing countries in their adaptation and attenuation efforts. All the other industrialised countries should do likewise, and keep their promises, MEPs state. That would be a demonstration of their clear desire for success in the talks.
“Our ultimate goal is to put our economies on track for a sub-2°C climate warming scenario. In Lima next month, UNFCCC parties are to work constructively to develop elements of the agreement to be concluded in Paris, and we should play a key role”, said committee chair Giovanni La Via. “We face a political challenge” to convince everyone of the benefits of moving towards a low-carbon economy, he acknowledged. All the countries should contribute, each at their own appropriate level, to the collective effort as delaying action will increase costs and reduce options, the resolution states. Thus, the Lima conference is an opportunity to set key goals ahead of the Paris agreement which, the MEPs state, should clearly include steps for mitigation, adaptation and an implementation strategy in order to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050. The Lima Conference should also agree on information requirements to ensure that national contributions are quantifiable and comparable.
The MEPs note that the EU is on track to exceed its Kyoto target as, by 2012, it had cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 19% from 1990 levels, while increasing its GDP by more than 45%. It thus almost halved its average emission intensity and reduced its per capita emissions by 25%. They also stress that agreements on funding climate measures, technology transfer and capacity building will be essential to help developing countries, which contribute the least to greenhouse gas emissions, but are most vulnerable to the effects. They reiterate, too, that steps must be taken to reduce emissions from international maritime transport and aviation. (AN)