Brussels, 14/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - At the same time as the UN climate change conference in Bali (3-14 December) was being hijacked by the United States' refusal to budge over greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, the European Council, in an attempt to ward off the risk of breakdown, repeated the urgent need for action to combat global warming to be stepped up after 2012 and the need to agree on a global action plan with binding targets in order to achieve this.
In their conclusions, the heads of state and government recalled the objectives and elements of a climate deal - elements which the EU believes are unavoidable and which were set out by the European Council in November 2007, namely the formal launch of a negotiations process in Bali and conclusion of the task by the end of 2008 in order for a new global system to come into force, based on the shared but differentiated responsibility of the different countries of the world, and a binding target of cutting global greenhouse gas emissions by at least half by 2050. This is the only way of ensuring global warming does not exceed 2 degrees Celsius over the pre-industrial revolution figures in order to avoid the irreversible impact of climate change, explained the EU27, based on a summary report by the inter-governmental group of experts on climate change (GIEC), published on 17 November 2007. According to the EU, this will require firm commitment from all industrialised countries to a 30% reduction in their emissions by 2020 and a 60-80% reduction by 2050, in order to set an example and allow big emerging economies to also commit to the process.
The European Council also pointed out the need to establish a global anti-climate change alliance between the EU and developing countries as the EU suggested in September 2007 (see EUROPE 9504). Developing countries will be the first victims of global warming but they are not the main contributors. The way the EU27 see it, the alliance should be a platform for dialogue and cooperation on adapting to climate change, reducing the risk of disasters and the impact of climate change on poverty reduction work in the most vulnerable countries.
Confirmation of sustainable development strategy
The EU's integrated policy on climate change was identified by the European Council as one of the driving factors that can help meet the sustainable development objectives. The objectives and priorities of the EU's integrated development strategy are described by the heads of state as remaining perfectly valid. Among the key elements are a joined-up approach to the sustainable management of natural resources, protecting biodiversity and ecosystems and sustainable manufacture, farming and consumption. The EU27 also focus on the EU's duty to continue to encourage moves in the direction of viable long-term transport which is less environmentally damaging.
In order to speed up implementation of the sustainable development strategy, the EU27 urged the European Commission to produce a roadmap of priority action to accompany its progress report planned for 2009.
On water shortages and drought, two phenomena which will only get worse and occur more frequently under the impact of climate change, the European Council welcomes the Environment Council conclusions document following its examination of the issue under the Portuguese presidency (see EUROPE 9493). No specific EU legislation has yet been forthcoming and the Commission is invited to continue to reflect on a common EU approach to water shortages and drought with a view to publishing a report in 2008 and developing a new EU strategy by 2012 to combat water shortages and drought.
The EU's future integrated maritime strategy is another priority identified by the European Council in the environmental domain. The EU27 urge the European Commission to unveil initiatives and a first raft of tangible measures under the recently unveiled action plan, and for future presidencies of the EU to introduce the integrated strategy. The European Commission will have the responsibility of reporting back on progress to EU heads of state and government at the European Council at the end of 2009. The finalising of the framework directive on the EU's strategy for the marine environment, the environmental pillar of the new integrated maritime strategy, was hailed by the EU27 leaders.
In regional affairs, the European Council is awaiting the outcome of the public consultation exercise on the strategy for ultra-remote regions and urges the Commission to unveil proposals in this connection by October 2008. The European Council warmly welcomed the fourth Cohesion Report and stressed the importance of debate on the future of the cohesion policy. (A.N./G.B.)