UN climate talks

The European Parliament today adopted a resolution setting out its position on the forthcoming UN climate summit in Durban (COP17) and its demands for the EU position. The Greens welcomed the clear message calling for the EU to commit to continuing the Kyoto Protocol, a key issue for the forthcoming summit. Commenting on the outcome, Green MEP Bas Eickhout, who will represent the Greens on the EP delegation to the COP17, said:

“The EP has today sent a clear message that EU needs to stop prevaricating and instead finally commit to continuing with the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012. With the UN climate talks in a state of protracted limbo, a clear commitment from the EU to Kyoto beyond 2012 would give a new impetus to the talks and the need for a comprehensive binding international climate agreement.

"Clearly, resolving the current flaws and loopholes under the Kyoto Protocol - notably on how emissions from forestry and land use are accounted, as well as the issue of hot air or surplus emissions permits - is essential if the protocol is to be environmentally sound. We welcome that the EP has again made this clear today.

“The current greenhouse gas target of a 20% reduction by 2020 is clearly at odds with the EU's pledge to limit the increase in global temperatures to below 2 degrees. We welcome that the EP has highlighted this and the need for the EU to step up its target. It is high time the Commission and EU governments delivered on this.”