Brussels, 08/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - The international climate negotiations entered a decisive phase in Lima (COP 20, 8-231 December) on Monday 8 December if progress is to be made on the constituent parts of the ambitious global climate agreement it is hoped will be concluded in Paris in 2015 to keep global warming to less than two degrees Celsius.
With an EU emissions reduction target of at least 40% by 2030 and a substantial contribution to the green climate fund to support the adaptation and mitigation efforts of developing countries, EU Climate Action Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete and President of the Environment Council Gian Luca Galletti will negotiate on behalf of the EU. Determined to make sure that the Lima conference will help ensure the conclusion, in a year's time, of a legally binding global agreement which has all countries on board to replace the Kyoto Protocol, they are calling on the major economies to make their contributions (see EUROPE 11211).
The European Parliament, represented by a delegation of twelve MEPs, led by Giovanni La Via (EPP, Italy), is looking to be part of the action and intends to make its voice heard, even though it is not among the EU's negotiating team. As NGOs grow impatient with the slow progress in the first week of negotiations devoted to discussion of draft texts, the Parliament delegation hopes that the EU will be able to forge alliances that will bring strong commitments from all parties, beginning with the major emerging economies. “This week has been one of proposals and clarifications. Next week should be a week of dialogue”, said Peru's Environment Minister Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, who is chairing COP 20.
A test for EU diplomacy. “In Lima, our challenge will be to convince all parties and other stakeholders that we all need to agree on and implement an ambitious climate policy, first and foremost in order to save our planet, but also to create jobs and foster sustainable growth. This requires stepping up our efforts within the international community. Success has been achieved on the EU targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions, but we have to make sure that this happens internationally too”, said La Via. In his opinion, the contributions of the United States and China - as the world's largest polluters - will be crucial. “However, the EU must remain on the front line and broker the best possible deal”, he argued, opining that “Lima and Paris next year will test EU diplomacy”.
United Nations Secretary General Ban-ki Moon, like the EU, is encouraged by the China-US agreement under the terms of which the US has set itself a target of reducing emissions by 26-28% (compared with 2005) by 2025, and China has pledged to have its emissions peak by around 2030 and to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption by some 20% as early as 2030. However, for Paris to be a success, negotiators will have much to do to make sure that in a week's time in Lima, the commitments made by the developed countries meet the expectations of the developing countries, hard hit by climate change. (AN)