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

No changes to EU position for UN climate negotiations ahead of Cancun
EU environment ministers agreed on a negotiating position for the EU at the forthcoming UN climate negotiations in Cancun that sees little change to the now outdated line. The position was rubber-stamped by EU leaders at the 29 October summit. It means on key issues, there will be no progress on the EU position. Any discussion about increasing the emissions reduction target to 30% has been postponed again (until spring). On the key issue of the EU’s openness to a second commitment period of the Kyoto protocol, environment ministers fudged the issue. (see press release and blog)

New EU rules on nuclear waste proposed
The European Commission set out proposals for new EU rules on nuclear waste, expressing a preference for deep underground storage. The proposals have been criticised, notably for the loose definition of what is nuclear waste, which would potentially allow different types of dangerous nuclear waste to be excluded. (see press release and blog)

Proposal to revise EU rules on oil drilling but backtrack on moratorium
The European Commission presented plans to overhaul EU rules dealing with offshore exploration. The proposals backed down on calling for an EU-wide moratorium on deep sea licensing, which had featured in earlier drafts. (see our press release)

Unspent EU crisis funds to be diverted to energy efficiency projects
Unspent funding under the EU’s energy recovery package, amounting to €146 million, will be redirected for use in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects under a deal reached between the European Parliament and Council. (see press release)

Commission drawing up plans to clamp down on dodgy HFC offsets
After months of controversy surrounding the use of credits from HFC projects under the Clean Development Mechanism to offset emissions under the EU’s emissions trading scheme, the European Commission is proposing to clamp down on the use of such offsets. There are indications that some EU member states will resist the proposed changes to clamp down on this so-called ‘scam’.

Global deal clears way for inclusion of aviation in EU emissions scheme
A deal reached in the international aviation organisation (ICAO) has cleared the way for the inclusion of aviation in the EU’s emissions trading scheme from 2012 on. The US, with support from Canada and Mexico, had initially threatened to block the proposal but the deal reached will allow the EU to proceed along the terms set out in the legislation it has already adopted.

Same rivalries re-emerge at UN talks in China
The last round of UN climate talks before this year’s summit in Cancun took place in China. The talks saw the revival of familiar points of dispute, notably between the US and China. While it is now accepted that there will be no climate treaty reached until late 2011 at the earliest, a key EU negotiator sounded the alarm on the need to achieve some results at Cancun if the UNFCCC negotiation process is not to be derailed.

US elections deal major blow to climate and energy policy hopes
Analysis of last week’s poor election for Democrats has described the result as a major blow for attempts to pass climate and energy legislation in the US. Republicans are likely to gain control of key parliamentary committees, with US president Obama acknowledging there is now no hope for getting planned legislation to introduce a cap and trade scheme passed. Concerns have also been raised about the commitment of the US to UN climate talks.