News
EC Climate Communication conscious but too cautious
9 March 2010
Brussels – Commenting on the first European Commission Climate Communication since the Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change, issued today, CIDSE says it is positive that the Commission is conscious of the need for a new strategy to advance international climate negotiations. The Commission is too cautious, however, in pushing for changes to EU policies that have a critical impact on the credibility of the EU’s position.
“The Commission's focus on achieving a legally binding agreement within the UN process, where all countries have a voice, is crucial. We also welcome the fact that the Commission wants the EU to be more proactive in reaching out to gain a better understanding of the views of different countries, and is willing to look at the different options for legally binding climate action, including the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol,” said Bernd Nilles, CIDSE's Secretary General.
“What we don’t see, however, is the Commission proactively pushing Members States on the points that continue to undermine the EU’s influence,” CIDSE’s climate expert Cliona Sharkey said. “This includes the need to move to a more ambitious green house gas emission reduction target that reflects the EU’s responsibility and capability, and a commitment that funds to finance climate action will be new, and not diverted aid money.”
CIDSE believes the Commission’s communication is an important step in reorienting the EU’s strategy, but that EU Member States together with the Commission must go further by making new, concrete commitments to ensure the EU has an ambitious and robust position that can forge real progress in advance of the Cancun climate change conference at the end of the year.
‘Copenhagen was a huge disappointment for everyone, but for no-one more than for those who are already suffering devastating impacts of climate change in developing countries. Progress is now even more urgent, and we look to the EU to create the new leadership needed', said Nilles.
