UN climate talks

With this year's UN climate summit (COP17) set to commence in Durban on Monday (28 November), the Greens today set out their demands from the EU (1) at a press conference in the European Parliament. Commenting after the press conference, Green MEP Bas Eickhout, who will represent the Greens on the EP delegation to the COP17, said:

“The EU strategy of waiting for everyone to jump at the same time has failed and a new approach is needed: Europe holds the cards to make a game-changing move that could revive the flagging climate talks. A clear commitment from the EU to continue the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012 would give a new impetus to the talks and help secure an alliance with developing countries to create a comprehensive binding international climate agreement by 2015 at the latest.

"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. However, a clear commitment from the EU to Kyoto would enable Europe to determine the terms of the post-2012 Kyoto and resolve these loopholes.

"The current greenhouse gas target of a 20% reduction by 2020 is not only at odds with the EU's pledge to limit the increase in global temperatures to below 2 degrees, it is also holding back the European economy and green innovation. The EU needs to step up to a 30% target immediately to help spur green growth and create jobs across Europe.”

(1) Click for a more detailed briefing on the Green demands for Durban.