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IEEP/GLOBE EU EVENT – 28 September 2009
Supporting Europe’s Parliamentarians – Preparing for Copenhagen
From the 7th to 18th December, Copenhagen will host COP15 of the UNFCCC negotiations. COP15 is
key to the future of international commitments to emission reductions. This event was intended as a
forum for MEPs to debate the major issues for Europe at Copenhagen and their role in promoting an
ambitious deal.
Many thanks to all who participated, in particular to the:
− Chair: Sirpa Pietikäinen, MEP (EPP)
− External Speakers: Elise Ford, Oxfam International; Jacqueline McGlade, Director of the
European Environment Agency
− Formal Interveners: Satu Hassi, MEP (Green); Fiona Hall, MEP (ALDE), Theodoros Skylakakis, MEP
(EPP); Dan Jorgensen, MEP (S&D)
− Moderator: David Baldock, Director of the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP)
Key Messages
This was an informal event but conclusions could be drawn on three themes: key aspects of a
successful international deal in Copenhagen; putting Copenhagen in context, by seeing COP15 not in
isolation but as part of wider ongoing efforts to reduce global emissions; and the role of MEPs in
promoting an ambitious international deal.
Important elements of a successful international deal in Copenhagen were considered to be:
• Adequacy and reliability of financing for developing countries – Financing is needed to
support mitigation, adaptation and monitoring efforts. Oxfam is calling for €50 billion per
year based on current needs; this does not take account of potential future worsening of
climate needs. Some other estimates were higher. It was noted that the costs of adaption
and supporting the developing world will increase until there is adequate action on
mitigation. The Commission’s financing paper was considered a good starting point, which
acknowledges the scale of the challenge. However, from the proposal it remains unclear
where some of the funding will originate from; proposed contributions by developing
countries appear unfair and contrary to the Bali agreement. Certain assumptions were
considered unrealistic, for example, that developing countries would be able to make
serious efficiency gains without the use of public financing.
• Offsetting and over reliance on reductions from developing countries – Proposed high
levels of offsetting permitted in the EU could result in significant challenges. Firstly, there is a
risk that Europe, and others, are making use of the ‘low hanging fruit’ to meet their own
needs and leaving the developing countries to address more expensive options. Secondly,
the reliance on offsetting coupled with proposals to require reductions by developing
countries could mean that more than 50% of total reductions would be delivered from
developing countries. This seems perverse given their relative poverty and their limited per
capita contribution to emissions.
• The adequacy of EU emission reduction targets – The 20% and 30% targets are both
insufficient to meet the scientific need and responsibilities of the EU.
• The adequacy of global ambition – Modelling by the EEA suggests that when all the current
government offers for Copenhagen are put together we are far from achieving the 2˚C
stabilisation target. We, ‘therefore, need a quantum shift in our thinking or to start to face
the consequences’.
• The need for a credible system for monitoring reductions – In the absence of a clear
monitoring mechanism for emission reductions there is a substantive risk of double
counting, misreporting of reductions and corruption, resulting in international commitments
being unenforceable or even meaningless. The need for an effective global Carbon
Accounting system was raised by the EEA.
Copenhagen and its place in the world
Whilst vital, Copenhagen negotiations are only one part of the climate policy jigsaw not an end in
itself. Before and in response to Copenhagen there is a need to continue to pursue climate action
through other avenues to deliver EU and global emission reductions. Issues identified as potential
priorities for Europe were:
• Delivering existing commitments – at present there are concerns that some Member States
do not have the capacity or political commitment to deliver existing requirements under EU
law by 2020. The Parliament can usefully take a role in promoting the fulfilment of
requirements, overseeing implementation, securing adequate monitoring and compliance
systems.
• Filling the gaps in EU policy ‐ There are substantive sectors yet to face EU mitigation targets,
transport by road and sea and agriculture were specifically mentioned. The importance of
forests and soils in Europe, and beyond, as carbon stores was also highlighted. Europe could
make an impact on global carbon balances by securing legislation to prioritise the
maintenance and improvement of these resources.
• Capitalising on Europe’s power as a trading bloc ‐ Beyond international negotiations the EU
can have a substantive impact upon global decisions, not least through setting ambitious
product standards. This helps to deliver green jobs in Europe and beyond, but additionally
drives up standards world wide. This is an important area where the Parliament can have a
substantive impact on energy use, particularly using its legislative powers.
• Redirecting public finances in Europe – At present there remain substantive subsidies in
Europe (to the fossil fuel industry) and the EU budget does not adequately take account of
climate issues. The Parliament could make it a priority to redress the balance in order to
deliver more effective climate action, more use of clean technologies and optimise the
opportunities offered by the transition to a low carbon economy.
What can MEPs do, now and at the negotiations, to help promote an ambitious deal?
In many ways the Parliament’s ability to determine the EU negotiating mandate for Copenhagen is
now limited. However, MEPs have an important role in securing a strong and credible platform for
the negotiations, ensuring that Member States and the international community are aware that a
weak deal would be unacceptable.
• MEPs could give the message that
− The European Parliament has not ‘changed its mind on climate’ – Following the
elections the Parliament must send a clear message to Member States and the
international community that climate remains a primary priority. Any Parliamentary
resolution on Copenhagen should reflect the continued ambition of the Parliament to
lead on this issue.
− Active engagement in the comitology discussions and development of follow up
measures to the package of climate and energy legislation adopted in 2008 ‐ It is
important to demonstrate that ‘the Parliament does not simply legislate and move on’
but is concerned with the detail of legislation, which is often crucial for success.
− The Parliament as a leader – Historically the Parliament has been fundamental to driving
political aspirations in Europe, for example, it was MEPs that first called for a 30%
reduction target (based on the scientific evidence at that time). It may take time to
permeate policy but the opinions adopted in the Parliament are influential.
− Making use of the power offered to the Parliament as a budgetary authority – The
Parliament should, as soon as, possible adopt initial proposals for the future of the EU
budget reflecting the importance of climate. This would send a strong signal of
commitment to the issue.
• Upcoming opportunities – Prior to Copenhagen
− Making use of the Commissioner hearings – this offers an opportunity to send a message
to the international community about the importance of climate issues to the new
Parliament.
− Perhaps moving the decision on carbon leakage rules under the EU ETS until after
Copenhagen – there is a danger that a carbon leakage deal could send a protectionist
message to the international community, additionally the scale of action needed may
alter in wake of Copenhagen.
• Opportunities for MEPs at Copenhagen
− Engage with National Parliamentarians – Understanding the detailed positions of third
countries and engaging strategically with national parliamentarians from different
delegations
− Engaging with key NGOs – Meeting with NGOs to understand their activities and primary
concerns as the negotiations evolve
− Informing the EU’s negotiators – Helping to inform negotiators of the concerns, positions
of and areas of debate among the different delegations and NGO community
− Operating as a coordinated Parliamentary team in Copenhagen and making use of the
EEA’s hospitality – During COP15 the EEA has offered MEPs the opportunity to make use
of their office facilities and expertise based in Copenhagen, please contact Johannes
Schilling (johannes.schilling@ext.ec.europa.eu) for details and to reserve space.
Next Steps
• Supporting the MEP Delegation to Copenhagen – Perhaps develop a mechanism for civil society
to support the MEP delegation to Copenhagen to ensure that MEPs are informed regarding key
national governments contacts and NGO representatives attending Copenhagen – IEEP to discuss
with partners
• Finding out more about
− Modelling existing government commitments for Copenhagen – please contact
Johannes Schilling (johannes.schilling@ext.ec.europa.eu))
− Oxfam reports on financing needs – attached, to discuss in detail please contact Elise
Ford (Elise.Ford@oxfaminternational.org)
− Details on EU financing options for Climate – see the output from Project Catalyst ‐
http://project‐catalyst.info/images/publications/climate_finance.pdf
− Understanding carbon accounting and other monitoring mechanisms – please contact
Johannes Schilling (johannes.schilling@ext.ec.europa.eu) of the EEA for details
− Subsidies in Europe for energy – please contact Catherine Bowyer (cbowyer@ieep.eu)
IEEP
• Who said what? ‐ detailed minutes of the meeting will be provided to all attendees and those
who sent apologise by IEEP on the 6 October, to discuss any aspect please contact Catherine
Bowyer (cbowyer@ieep.eu)
• Further work and meetings before Copenhagen – IEEP and GLOBE EU will be organising two
further working sessions for MEPs prior to Copenhagen (see below) as well as training for MEP
assistants on relevant climate issues commencing Friday 23 October and consisting of 6
lunchtime sessions.
Save the Date ‐ IEEP/GLOBE EU Lunchtime Workshop for MEPs
Timing – 12:30 ‐ 2:15
Location – European Parliament, Room tbc
Lunch – will be provided during the debate to all participants
Speakers – to be announced
To reserve a place at either event please contact Catherine Bowyer – cbowyer@ieep.eu
3 November – The Future of European Financing for Climate Action
This session will focus on financing the transition of Europe to a low carbon economy. We will
examine: the financing of technology change; financing adaptation; the different instruments that
might be used from EU ETS to the reform of the EU budget; and the appropriateness of existing
and planned funding regimes. Focusing on the questions:
− What are the funding sources?
− On what should EU funding for climate be spent?
− What are the priorities for reform?
1 December – Responding to an International Deal – Securing EU Ambition beyond Copenhagen
The current EU commitment to a 20 per cent reduction target by 2020 was intended as a marker
to demonstrate that, despite a lack of international agreement, the EU would lead in reducing
emissions beyond 2012. The goal was always to achieve a 30% reduction by 2020, once other
nations had made comparable commitments. The questions remain however:
− What process would be needed for the EU to shift between targets?
− Is 30% sufficient?
− How can we prove that an international agreement is sufficient to trigger a higher
reduction commitment?
− What would be included/excluded from the 30% i.e. would landuse change in
incorporated, what levels of offsetting are responsible?
This session will address these questions, as they are fundamental not only to ready the
Parliament to respond to Copenhagen but also to the credibility of the EU negotiating position.