EU Council continues stalemate on climate change

Brussels, Belgium - On the crucial issues leading to the Copenhagen climate summit, the European Council kept the EU in a holding pattern. The EU appears to feel the burden is on developing countries to describe in detail why they deserve any support to tackle climate change, prior to making any pledge - a sure way to impede progress.

The Council has once again failed to put a figure on the table on the actual support it is prepared to commit to, or detail the mechanisms for raising it.

“European leaders were right to state that the time has now come for the international community to speed up the pace of negotiations and take the commitments needed to limit global warming to under 2°C. The question inevitably arises, therefore, why didn’t they make a decision that actually supports such goals?” said Jason Anderson, Head of European Climate and Energy Policy at WWF.

“The EU is playing a delaying tactic which can not help ensure an ambitious deal by the UN Copenhagen summit. Europe needs to make progress on the key issues, and not look elsewhere for leadership.”

After the timid performance of the Czech Presidency of the EU, WWF urges the upcoming Swedish presidency to guide Europe towards Copenhagen, establishing a clear roadmap that does not leave all critical decisions to the final Council before Copenhagen, or to the 11th hour around the negotiating table.

There are too many pieces that need to converge by then, and no time to waste.

WWF says that in light of the 2-degree goal, Europe’s 20% commitment of emissions reductions by 2020 is not ambitious as claimed, nor would a 30% target if this is to be diluted by buying offset credits from developing countries.

Europe’s minimum commitment should be to 30% achieved at home, and an additional 15% supported through financing in developing countries. Europe and other developed countries will need to be fully decarbonised by 2050.

For further information:
Jason Anderson, Head of European Climate and Energy Unit at WWF
Tel: +32 474 837 603
E-mail: janderson@wwfepo.org
 
Claudia Delpero, Communications Manager at WWF European Policy Office
Tel: +32 2 740 09 25
E-mail: cdelpero@wwfepo.org