EU wants climate deal by 2015
2011-11-27 18:49
Durban - The European Union said on Sunday it wants the world to agree to work toward a legally binding global deal by 2015 to reduce carbon emissions before it makes commitments of its own.
Speaking a day before annual UN climate talks open in Durban, EU officials provided details of their expectations from the two weeks of meetings.
They said they were willing to extend their commitment to the Kyoto Protocol beyond its expiry in December next year.
But they said it made no sense to do so, especially since Russia, Canada and Japan were not willing to do the same. Since only about 25% of global emissions are currently covered under Kyoto, that percentage would drop to 11% if only the EU were left.
That is why the EU wants the Durban talks to produce a road map to a legally binding framework that will cover 100% of greenhouse gasses blamed for global warming, said Tomasz Chruszczow, a representative from Poland, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.
Artur Runge-Metzger, the EU's chief negotiator, compared the EU's expectations for such a roadmap to an "engagement" that would lead to a "marriage" by 2015, with commitments to reductions beyond 2020.
It remains questionable how realistic that expectation is.
The United States says the voluntary agreements to reduce emissions made at the past two climate conferences are sufficient until 2020. It also says it is not willing to commit to talks that will lead to a legally binding agreement until it knows the substance of the agreement.
Major emitters
Neither the United States nor China, which together produce about 40% of global emissions, are covered by the Kyoto agreement. The United States never ratified the treaty, while China and other developing countries were exempted.
Runge-Metzger was optimistic that the US will agree to a roadmap as long as other major developing countries, including China and India, go along.
The current arrangement of voluntary commitments sealed last year in Cancun is only a "wild marriage," Runge-Metzger told dpa.
"The main issue for us is whether... the US, China, India, all the other major emitters... are going to stand in front of the pastor and exchange vows," he said.
While the EU hopes that "marriage" can take place in 2015, he also said an "engagement" in Durban may not necessarily result in a solid deal, but "at least you are working" toward the goal.
Scientists say global temperatures should not rise more than 2°C compared to pre-industrial times by 2050 if the world is to avoid catastrophic consequences.
But current emissions put the world on track for a 3.5°C to 4.5°C rise, EU officials noted, even with expected voluntary reductions.
- SAPA