COP15 ROUND-UP
– UN climate treaty thrown into doubt after Copenhagen cop out
– EU climate policy runs to standstill in Copenhagen
GREEN EYE ON THE EU’S CLIMATE EFFORT
– Commission continues push for strong emissions trading caps in Estonia, Poland
– Carbon capture set to get further windfall from EU funds
– France back to drawing board on planned carbon tax
ROUND-UP – CLIMATE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
– India and Mexico up emissions pledges ahead of climate talks
– South Korea announces plans for emissions trading scheme
– Australian senate defeats proposed climate bill
– The latest climate science in this month’s science overview
WHAT’S ON
– Calendar of some key events this month
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Click for online version (to resolve email format issues) or to download print-friendly version
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
UN climate treaty thrown into doubt after Copenhagen cop out
The UN climate negotiations in Copenhagen ended in major disappointment. The status of a planned political declaration was downgraded, after the text had been watered down beyond all meaning. Meanwhile, the lack of a clear mandate to continue work towards a legally-binding climate treaty for beyond 2012 has thrown the UN climate process into doubt. (see our blog and press release)
The talks started out in acrimony, with developing countries reacting angrily to a leaked draft of the political agreement. Despite some breakthroughs, notably on climate financing for developing countries, the outlook on the final evening was not good. Earlier in the week, leaked documents from the UNFCCC revealed the serious gap between the pledged emissions actions and the necessary steps needed to limit warming to below 2 degrees. Worse, this did not take account of the major loopholes, which threatened to further undermine emissions pledges.
In the immediate aftermath of the climate talks, the global carbon price tumbled. Since then, much of the attention has focused on the blame-game, with commentators blaming China, the US and Denmark for the debacle in Copenhagen.
EU climate policy runs to standstill in Copenhagen
EU ministers and heads of state headed to Copenhagen without having progressed the EU negotiating position at their December summit. While the EU did agree to provide fast-track climate financing (to 2012) for developing countries – a modest commitment falling short of that from Japan – no progress was made on the key issues of long-term climate financing or increasing the EU emissions pledge (from 20% by 2020 to 30%).
Rumours in Copenhagen continued about internal divisions in the EU, with reports that the Commission had prepared a back-up plan to scale back the EU emissions pledge. The EU seemed to have a very limited role in the final negotiations on a political text (which was concluded between the US, China, India, Brazil and South Africa). After the UN climate talks, the Swedish presidency of the EU described the outcome as a disaster but a clear strategy on climate policy beyond Copenhagen remains elusive.
GREEN EYE ON THE EU’S CLIMATE EFFORT
Commission continues push for strong emissions caps in Estonia, Poland
The EU Commission has gone on the offensive to ensure that Estonia and Poland set stronger caps for their emissions under the emissions trading scheme. The Commission has launched an appeal against a ruling of the European Court of Justice on its previous handling of the Polish and Estonian plans. It has also rejected the latest weak proposals from Poland and Estonia.
Carbon capture set to get further windfall from EU funds
The unproven technology of carbon capture and storage (CCS) is set to get a further boost through EU funding. Draft proposals on how to allocate the ‘new entrants reserve’ in the emissions trading scheme would see CCS winning the lions’ share. The ‘new entrants reserve’ is designed to promote emissions-reducing technologies by allocating free additional emissions permits (valued at at least €60bn) but the proposals, which are set to be decided on 2 February, would see CCS benefitting disproportionately compared to renewable energy technologies. CCS was ruled out of inclusion under UN climate flexibility mechanisms for the time being however.
France back to drawing board on planned carbon tax
The French government will have to revise a planned carbon tax, after a court ruled the scheme unconstitutional just before it was set to enter into force. The French president has vowed to adapt the proposals to ensure a carbon tax can enter into force without delay.
ROUND-UP – CLIMATE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
India and Mexico up emissions pledges ahead of climate talks
Ahead of the UN climate talks in Copenhagen, India finally came up with proposals to limit the growth in its emissions. The Indian government pledged to reduce its carbon intensity up to 25% by 2020. Mexico also came forward with new emissions pledges, committing to halve its emissions by 2050.
South Korea announces plans for emissions trading scheme
South Korea has announced plans to set up an emissions trading scheme, joining a growing list of countries and regions that have set up (or are in the process of setting up) cap and trade schemes.
Australian senate defeats proposed climate bill
The Australian senate again defeated a proposed climate bill. The Australian government had hoped to pass the bill, after securing some opposition support, however, the main opposition party overthrew its leader and, with him, the pledge to support the government’s proposals.
The latest climate science in this month’s science overview
The Guardian newspaper has provided a useful overview of developments in climate science in 2009. IPCC scientists forecast much higher sea level rises than previously predicted. The UK Met Office confirmed the past decade had been the hottest on record.
WHAT’S ON
2 February Climate change committee to decide on ‘new entrants reserve’
4 February Beyond Copenhagen – a Greens/EFA workshop in the European Parliament
15 March Council of EU environment ministers in Brussels