Tag: Europe

“Feeling” Around for Better Decisions in LCA

Submitted by Secretariat on August 31, 2012 - 8:19pm

ECO shares G77’s “strong feelings”. In the 1(b)(i) session this afternoon, the Group’s passion for their proposal on what needs to be agreed in Doha was evident. The Group's strong and eloquent intervention clearly set out an understanding of what is needed from developed countries under the LCA track to help achieve fair ambition pre-2020, building on some of the common frameworks that will help to inform the negotiations that will take place in the ADP on a new, global deal.

Helpfully, the G77 proposed decisions for Doha on the following essential elements of developed country mitigation:

- Increasing pre-2020 ambition for all developed countries – those in the KP and those still refusing to (re)join – in line with the latest available science

- Conversion of the 1(b)(i) pledges of non-KP developed nations into tonnes of CO₂e, AAUs or a carbon budget, rather than point targets for a particular moment in time

- Common accounting rules for all developed countries

- Clarification of how the common accounting rules might alter actual levels of ambition

Though we appreciate the EU, Switzerland and Norway's expressed support for common accounting rules and transparency to allow comparability of efforts by developed countries, these countries should form common cause with the G77 proposal and show greater willingness to seize the opportunities for ambitious and comparable efforts under the LCA. After all, developed country modalities have already been negotiated, so there are clear precedents, developed over years of careful negotiations, to guide the work to a speedy conclusion.

As for the Brollie Groupers, who either think that the promise of 1(b)(i) has been exhausted, or that seem to advocate “transparency” through a smoke screen of self-determined rules for reporting and accounting – remember that developed country leadership you signed up to in the Convention? Postponing your duty to increase your ambition until the new deal will kill any chance of staying below 1.5/2°C – and probably a whole lot else as well. Refusing to play by the rules gives an impression of acting like spoiled children who have taken more than their fair share of the sweets and are now trying to hide the wrappers.

And just like any good parent would, we have “strong feelings” about that kind of behaviour.

Tags:

Topics:

Equity/effort-sharing

Finance

Region:

Eastern Europe and Eurasia

Europe

Related Event:

Bangkok Climate Change Conference 2012

Secretariat's blog

A Tenuous Linkage

Submitted by Secretariat on August 30, 2012 - 6:38pm

ECO cautiously welcomes the announcement made this week by Australia and the EU that they have entered into negotiations to link their carbon trading schemes by 2018. If implemented with ambition, this could be a positive step toward greater international cooperation in carbon pollution reductions.

However, ECO wants to respectfully remind delegates that if two dogs play together they will catch each other’s fleas. In the case of linking carbon markets together, weak ambition may be contagious. If neither emissions cap meets the targets that science suggests, then linking is only a gimmick.

Europe is already and will continue to face deficiencies in the EU ETS. Unless policymakers move to restore scarcity to the oversupplied European carbon market, they risk weakening incentives for zero-carbon development not only in Europe but also in the countries to which they link. Australia’s economy is the size of Spain’s, and could be overwhelmed by a flood of cheap European emission allowances, undermining climate action there. We note that this linkage is marginally better than allowing a flood of even cheaper CDM credits into the Australian scheme, which was a distinct possibility before changes were made in order to link with Europe, but, as feared, is likely to undermine climate action on both sides.

Full linking with the Australian scheme after 2018 also presents potential dangers for the EU. Since Australia’s 2020 climate targets remain considerably weaker than Europe’s, an insufficiently robust Australian cap could see a reverse flow of cheap Australian credits into the European market exacerbating the existing oversupply. Also, there is a danger that Australian land-based credits could enter the European scheme by the backdoor.

ECO urges the EU to act quickly and decisively to make structural adjustments to the EU ETS by permanently removing surplus emission allowances to fix the glaring problem of oversupply.

Australia regrettably had to do away with its intention to install a carbon floor price, which provided an important safety net to ensure a minimum level of investment in domestic pollution-saving activities. Removing this safety net means that other policies become even more important. ECO urges Australia to commit to extend and increase the Renewable Energy Target to at least 40 per cent.

Finally, ECO can’t help wondering…surely the EU did not forget to make joining the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol a pre-condition for bilateral negotiations between the EU and Australia to proceed?

Tags:

Topics:

Equity/effort-sharing

Finance

Region:

Australia

Europe

Secretariat's blog

Dear Mr. Prime Minister...

Submitted by Secretariat on June 20, 2012 - 8:39pm

In a disappointing and disheartening plenary session today, the Brazilian chair adopted the watered down draft text to be taken to world leaders tomorrow to formally adopt. As delegations clapped away at our failed future, civil society loudly protested from the back of the plenary hall.

As a last attempt to salvage this summit, civil society has united its efforts to write a letter to UK Prime Minister David Cameron at the G20 Summit calling for an urgent intervention to deliver ambition at the Rio+20 Earth Summit. The letter highlights that the draft text is severely lacking in ambition, urgency and political will. Countries are reluctant to commit to a bolder agenda largely because they do not believe that the money can be found to deliver the transition to a fair, prosperous and sustainable world for all.

Civil society is calling on the UK, as a member of G8, G20, UN Security Council and the European Union, to take matters into their own hands and be pioneers in this endeavor to save the planet and forge an international agreement on tackling global inequalities. To do this, three commitments are needed to transform this summit.

Phase out harmful fossil fuel subsidies, with safeguards for the world poorest communities. Commitments to begin such a process were made by the G20 at their meeting in Pittsburgh in 2009 and again in Toronto in 2010, but with almost no progress to date. Developed countries spend around $100bn a year in subsidies and tax breaks to prop up fossil fuel production, according to the OECD.

Introduce a Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) which has been proven by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Commission and independent studies to be a credible, effective and development friendly tax. It is a hugely popular idea, supported by 63% of European citizens and more than 1000 economists, and could raise at least $400bn a year.

Stop multinationals dodging their taxes. This would generate an extra $160 billion a year in tax revenues in poor countries alone. This is money that these companies already owe but which they are not paying.

The biggest impediment to means of implementation and finance is that the money isn’t there, but as shown above, the money is clearly there and can be easily freed up and utilized. Strong political will and even stronger leadership is needed now to push these negotiations to deliver a safe and prosperous world for everyone.

Tags:

International Monetary Fund

G20 Summit

Topics:

Rio-Process/Post-2015

Region:

Europe

Latin America

Secretariat's blog

Brazil Takes 1st Place; Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, EU, Canada US, & More 2nd

Submitted by Secretariat on June 17, 2012 - 7:27pm

It was a full day for fossils Sunday at the Rio+20 negotiations. Brazil earned the First Place Fossil for a frightening new draft text. Saudi Arabia and Venezuela took Second Place for trying to save fossil fuel subsidies. The European Union, United States, and other developed countries earned another Second Place Fossil for bringing empty pockets to plans in need of financing. The Fossils as presented read:

“Brazil earns the First place Fossil. Yesterday Brazil took over as host country of the negotiations for the Rio+20 summit and presented its new draft of the negotiating text. With great power comes great responsibility. The world is watching how Brazil performs in its task of steering negotiators towards agreement on ambitious, concrete outcomes. Outcomes that will get the world on the path to sustainable development and ensuring all members of this and future generations access to quality food, clean water and renewable energy, as well as a healthy, liveable planet, a stable climate and a vibrant prosperous economy. The outcome also need to find new sources of financing and ways to mobilize the technologies to achieve these goals.

Unfortunately the text yesterday shows no signs of movement in this direction. It appears that Brazil is missing the chance be a force for raising ambition and living up to the hopes and trust that the world has placed on its shoulders, and will be content with using its growing political clout and indisputable diplomatic capacities only to find clever compromises and get agreement on a watered-down document devoid of clear commitments and actions. Furthermore it seems that the Brazilian government are more focused on closing text, even though it is slashing the ambition, rather than ensuring the outcome we need. Of course Brazil can’t single-handedly turn this process around, and it needs bold and ambition proposals from other countries and a willingness from all countries to get this process on track to creating the world we really do want.”

“The United States, European Union, Canada, and other developed countries earned the Second Place Fossil. US, Canada, EU and other developed countries, turned up in Rio with not a Euro cent or Dime, and now that we see all references to finance and technology commitments deleted from the Rio negotiating text it’s clear that developed countries are intending to run away from the Rio principles signed 20 years

ago, especially Common But Differentiated Responsibility. Rich, industrialised countries need to step up and provide the predictable and adequate support that allows developing countries to pursue truly sustainable development.”

“Saudi Arabia and Venezuela also earn a Second Place Fossil. During closed door negotiations Saudi Arabia and Venezuela have consistently blocked progress on ending fossil fuel subsidies. Despite an honest effort by Brazil to bridge the divide, these two countries remain the biggest obstacle to stopping our governments handing taxpayers' money directly to the dirty energy industries. Why aren't these billions being spent on access to clean energy for the billions without? The oil industry' slippery tentacles are strangling sustainable development and driving us closer towards a climate catastrophe, with our governments in on the act. By refusing to end these dirty handouts, we give Saudi Arabia and Venezuela the second place fossil, hopefully we won’t see them on the podium again.”

Tags:

Common But Differentiated Responsibility.

Topics:

Rio-Process/Post-2015

Region:

Organization:

Climate Action Network

UNFCCC

Brazil Takes 1st Place; Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, EU, Canada US, & More 2nd

Submitted by Secretariat on June 17, 2012 - 7:23pm

Tags:

Common But Differentiated Responsibility.

Topics:

Rio-Process/Post-2015

Region:

Organization:

Climate Action Network

UNFCCC

Ask Poland

Submitted by MBrockley on May 25, 2012 - 4:24am

Both developed and developing countries often complain that the EU will not answer their legitimate questions, such as "What is the EU position on carrying forward AAU surpluses?" and "As a so-called leader, why does the EU not move to at least a 30 percent domestic target, having already achieved around 17% reductions on 1990 levels?"

The answer is that you may be asking the wrong people. The EU Commission will say that they cannot answer because they do not have the agreement of the member states. The Germans will tend to keep quiet, having played a dominant role in dealing with the Eurocrisis. The British will say “bloody foreigners” and the French will say "plus grand en France".

The trick is to ask questions of newer EU states that are less deferential to European Union traditions and norms. Poland is ideal. They know all about lack of EU ambition and wanting to carry forward hot air AAUs. Ask Poland.

Tags:

Topics:

Region:

Eastern Europe and Eurasia

Europe

Related Event:

Bonn Climate Change Conference 2012

MBrockley's blog

CAN Collectibles: European Union

Submitted by MBrockley on May 25, 2012 - 4:18am

**Errata: Yesterday's collectible indicated there was a "secret message" embedded in the series. That should have read "notsosecret message". The message is that countries should increase their ambition for Qatar. ECO regrets this confusion, but hopes that this was especially clear to Parties who reread the entire series, searching for the hidden message.**

European Union
National term of endearment/greeting	Ciao/ahoj/hej/Hi/kalimera/Bonjour/Guten tag/ hej pa dig/Hola/ Hallooooooo/Varying number of kisses, except in the UK
Annual alcohol consumption	11 litres per person per year
Annual cheese consumption	19 kg per person per year (more in France)
Best things about EU	Excellent alcoholic beverages and cheese (see above). Eurovision song contest Climate and Energy package – inadequate level of effort and no legally-binding energy efficiency target, but still a noted first effort
Worst things about EU	World’s lowest carbon price. Milk found on same aisle as toilet paper in supermarket. Middle aged men in skimpy bathing suits. Polish climate ambition. Eurovision song contest
Things you didn’t know	Outlook for the EU is a continent-wide outdoor museum for a population of pensioners. The 10 most generous countries in the world when it comes to charitable giving.
Existing Unconditional pledge on the table	20% below 1990 levels by 2020
Existing Conditional pledge (upper end)	30% below 1990 levels by 2020
Next step to increase ambition by COP18	40% below 1990 levels by 2020 (of which 30% domestic) Agree to a strong Energy Efficiency Directive: Member States have watered down existing provisions to around 38% of the initial proposal
Rationale	Emission reductions in the EU in 2009 were already 17.3% below the 1990, so the 20% target for 2020 is practically met. And as if this wasn't easy enough, simply by implementing the EU’s existing renewable energy and energy efficiency targets would result in domestic emission reductions of 25% in 2020 as has been acknowledged by the European Commission in the 2050 Low Carbon Roadmap published in March 2011.

Tags:

Topics:

Region:

Related Event:

Bonn Climate Change Conference 2012

MBrockley's blog

CAN side event: ADP, AWG-KP and AWG-LCA: Pathway to Qatar and 2015

Submitted by MBrockley on May 23, 2012 - 9:47am

Wendel Trio speaks about the milestones towards 2015.

Photo Credit: IISD

Tags:

Side Event

Region:

Europe

Related Event:

Bonn Climate Change Conference 2012

Related Member Organization:

CAN Europe (CAN-E)

CAN Collectibles: United Kingdom!

Submitted by MBrockley on May 23, 2012 - 7:09am

Now With 50% More Ambition!

Fast Facts About Countries That Can Increase TheirAmbition in Qatar

National term of greeting:	“How do you do?”, accompanied by a firm handshake.
Annual alcohol consumption:	8.3 litres per person per year
Annual cheese consumption:	6.1 kilograms per person per year
Best things about the UK:	A strong sense of fair play. Unrivalled ability to queue (see also "a strong sense of fair play")
Worst things about the UK:	Weather. Brits whining about the weather.
Things you didn't know:	Britain is the only country in the world which doesn’t have the country’s name on its postage stamps (or so the Internet tells us)
Existing unconditional pledge on the table:	20% below 1990 levels by 2020 as per the EU. 34% below 1990 levels by 2020 as the UK’s share of that 20%
Existing conditional pledge (upper end):	30% below 2000 levels by 2020. 42% below 1990 levels by 2020 as the UK’s share of that 30% a reduction of 2.6% per year in the budget periods 2008-2022
Next step to increase ambition by COP18:	40% below 1990 levels by 2020. Support that 20% of the EU budget should go to climatesmart investment. Support an EU move to 30% (solely through domestic action) in 2012. Support stronger measures in the EU Energy Efficiency Directive – it’s not all about the ETS!

Tags:

Topics:

Region:

Related Event:

Bonn Climate Change Conference 2012

MBrockley's blog

Tag: Europe

Pages