Ενημερωτικό Δελτίο της καμπάνιας των Ευρωπαίων Πράσινων για την κλιματική αλλαγή (Ιούνιος 2010)

EU Commission outlines arguments for increasing emissions target
The European Commission presented a communication setting out the case for increasing the EU’s current 20% emissions reduction target on 26 May. While the final communication was less emphatic than previous drafts and the subject of political wrangling, the analysis – setting out the economic and other reasons for and implications of increasing the target remains the same.

The communication points out that it is much cheaper than previously estimated to achieve the 20% target (and thus a 30% target) and that moving to a 30% target will bring clear economic benefits. It underlines that it will be very difficult for the EU to achieve its long term (2050) emissions targets (and overall 2°C climate goal) by sticking to a 20% target, and that moving to a 30% target will overcome some of the negative impacts on the EU’s own regulatory measures (namely the ETS) of sticking with a 20% target (i.e. surplus allowances and a depressed carbon price). (see our press release)

Debate on EU carbon leakage and emissions trading scheme flaws hots up
In the run up to the Commission communication (above), the debate on the risk of carbon leakage in the EU took centre stage. The Greens/EFA group presented an independent study showing the risks of carbon leakage in the EU have been exaggerated and the policy response ineffective and damaging (see press release, blog and political summary).

These findings were backed up by a similar study from the Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO). The study also underlined that polluting industries were set to make billions in windfall profits due to the free allocation of emissions permits under the EU’s emissions trading scheme, confirming the findings of a study by CE Delft earlier in the month and research from NGO Sandbag. Sandbag also released research demonstrating that the emissions trading scheme is failing to reduce emissions sufficiently.

Energy efficiency – EU signs off revised rules on building efficiency and energy labels
The European Parliament voted to adopt final compromises, revising two important pieces of EU legislation – on the energy performance of buildings and energy labelling – in May. The new rules on building energy performance create strong standards for new buildings but fail to address the energy inefficiency of existing buildings (see our press release). Meanwhile, the revised rules on the EU energy label prevented the introduction of a new complex and confusing system, which the industry wanted, but still make the current system more complicated (see our press release).

Oil from tar sands being used in Europe
Environmental NGO Greenpeace revealed that oil from tar sands, which is responsible for major environmental damage and excessive climate damaging emissions, is making its way on to the European market. The revelation reignited calls to ensure EU rules on fuel quality are tightened to prevent this dirty fuel source from ending up in European fuel tanks.

EU rules on illegal timber pass EP vote
The EU Parliament environment committee voted to strengthen proposed legislation on the trade in illegal timber on 4 May. There was cross-political support on key issues including adopting an overall ban on placing or making available illegally harvested timber on the EU market (see press release).

UN climate negotiations restart amid dampened expectations
The first full negotiating session of the UNFCCC in 2010 kicked off on Monday (31 May) in Bonn (see our blog). Controversy again dominated with a leaked letter from outgoing UNFCCC executive secretary Yvo de Boer blaming the ‘Danish text’ and the arrival of heads of state for Copenhagen’s failure.

The negotiations remain stalled, with parties squabbling over the negotiating texts. Meanwhile, disputes were also brewing on pledged climate aid for developing countries, following revelations by Oxfam that some of the promised funding would come in the form of loans and not direct aid (see press release). Meanwhile, Christiana Figueres of Costa Rica has been confirmed as the incoming executive secretary of the UNFCCC, replacing Yvo de Boer who steps down at the end of June.

Forest protection back on the international agenda
Norway hosted and chaired a one-day international negotiating session on forest protection on 27 May. The conference made progress on the setting up a framework for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD), with some additional commitments secured for the fund. In the week of the conference, Indonesia made headlines by announcing a two-year moratorium on deforestation.

Revised US energy and climate bill presented
A revised energy and climate bill was presented to the US senate on 11 May (click for official summary and a summary by wonkroom). While the bill commits to a 17% reduction in “carbon pollution” by 2020, moving to 80% in 2050, with much of the auctioning revenues from a cap and trade scheme to be returned to consumers, the scope of the cap and trade scheme is very much reduced.

More an energy bill, it includes some odious subsidies for offshore oil drilling (albeit before the BP oil spill), but also for other fossil fuels and nuclear. To quote the summary: “America enjoys an abundance of home-grown energy sources: coal, natural gas, nuclear and renewables. Each will play a critical role in our clean energy future.” Hopes of passing the bill this year are slim, notably without an official Republican backer, but some commentators are more optimistic.

China indicates possible carbon trading market, as India releases emissions data
China announced that it could introduce a “state-guided” carbon trading market by 2014. Meanwhile, Indian data on CO2 emissions was released for the first time in over a decade.

EU emissions, global temperatures and Arctic ice in this month’s climate science round-up
The European Commission confirmed that emissions in sectors covered by the emissions trading scheme dropped dramatically in 2009. 2010 could be the hottest year on record, according to official data from the NOAA. It was also confirmed that Arctic sea ice is at record low levels for this time of year.