Brussels, 05/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - The fight against climate change post-2020 is on the agenda of the G7 Summit to be hosted by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Schloss Elmau (Bavaria, Germany) on 7 and 8 June, where the watchword will be 'Turning to the future, acting together' (see EUROPE 11328). The subject will be discussed in the framework of the working session devoted to global challenges.
Six months ahead of the UN conference of Paris (COP 21), which will aim to conclude a global, ambitious and legally binding agreement, the message to be sent out by the heads of state or government of the seven most industrialised countries of the world (France, Germany, Canada, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States) will be highly anticipated. Particularly as negotiations at expert level over in Bonn, to continue until 11 June, are running into trouble. The developing countries feel that the industrialised countries should do more, both in terms of reducing emissions and financing technological transfers.
According to a source close to the EU, the final statement of the G7 is expected to send out a clear message of encouragement for the success of COP 21 and define “common ground on the procedure to follow: what needs to happen in Paris and beyond”. With its contribution offer based on national efforts (INDC) targeting a reduction of its emissions of at least 40% by 2030 (compared to 1990 figures), “the EU is potentially the most ambitious player, but climate change is a global challenge which can only be dealt with through a global solution and cooperation on the part of all major players. Progress to breathe new life into Paris is the goal of the G7”, a senior EU official said on Friday.
The G7 is also expected to highlight the need to speed up the negotiation process of the United Nations, the same source told us, adding that “there is a willingness of the partners to help the French, as Presidency of the COP, to make the process more fluid so that Paris will be a success. It is not enough to have the members of the G7 onside. There are other countries which have become major emitters in recent years”. The final declaration is expected to encourage all of the major economies to put their offers in to the UN. “We hope that we will be able to welcome the INDCs of the G7 members and that we will be able to appeal to the other global partners to present their contributions to the United Nations, with scenarios and gateways to bring national emissions down”, the source clarified. (Aminata Niang)