GREEN EYE ON THE EU’S CLIMATE EFFORT
– EU takes ambiguous position on climate aid
– Controversy surrounds anticipated EU rules for biofuels, as well as biomass
– Electric cars to be pushed through EU strategy
– Emissions trading scheme under scrutiny
– Fresh bonus for fossil-fuelled power, as CCS main beneficiary of EU support scheme
– New directorates on climate action and energy created in European Commission
ROUND-UP – CLIMATE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
– UN climate talks back on track amid dampened expectations
– New analysis shows emissions pledges fall short
– US climate bill set to be gutted, as nuclear power gets federal boost
– IPCC science to be reviewed and the latest climate science in this month’s science overview
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GREEN EYE ON THE EU’S CLIMATE EFFORT
EU takes ambiguous position on climate aid
The UN Environment Programme has signalled that a ‘fast start’ climate financing scheme for developing countries, which was promised at the UN talks in Copenhagen in December, could be up and running within months. The EU pledged to give €2.4bn per year to the €22bn 3-year fund (2010-12).
However, a top EU official claimed this month that the EU commitment should not be taken for granted, suggesting it was contingent on countries’ association with the contested Copenhagen Accord, prompting a response from outgoing UN climate chief Yvo de Boer. Meanwhile, there are concerns as to whether EU member states (like the UK and France) will deliver new, additional funds or simply recycle funding pledged for overseas development aid. (see our blog)
Anticipated proposals from the EU Commission on criteria for biofuels were the subject of controversy this month (see our blog). The Commission has come under criticism with regards to its long-awaited proposals on EU criteria for biofuels that take into account the potentially damaging impacts of indirect land use change from the increased production of these fuels.
NGOs criticised the Commission for withholding scientific research, while leaked documents revealed an internal struggle within the Commission to suppress this information for fear it would damage the agro-fuel industry. This followed on from other leaks earlier this month, which indicated that environmentally-damaging agro-fuels from palm oil plantations could be given the green-light for use in the EU.
The Commission also set out its proposals on biomass (for heating and power etc.), which included no binding criteria at EU level to safeguard against the negative environmental impacts of biomass.
Electric cars to be pushed through EU strategy
The Spanish presidency of the EU announced its plans for an EU strategy on electric cars this month. Coinciding with the Spanish presidency announcement, environmental NGOs presented a paper outlining the potential problems with electric cars and the extent of the loopholes in the current EU legislation on car emissions. Linked to this, the European Commission has announced it will present a strategy on ‘clean and energy-efficient cars’ in May. (see our blog)
Emissions trading scheme under scrutiny
The EU’s emissions trading scheme came under fresh scrutiny with a report by UK lawmakers calling for the ETS to be strengthened. Meanwhile, it was revealed that the EU Commission will push for a centralised EU auctioning system for emissions permits under the ETS. The Commission also revised the rules under the ETS, after it was subject to an online scam this month.
The unproven technology of carbon capture and storage (CCS) will be the main beneficiary a support scheme to promote new energy technologies under the EU’s emissions trading scheme. Agro-fuels and renewable energy will also get funding from the ‘new entrants reserve’ under the ETS after the decision by EU governments. The ‘new entrants reserve’ aims to promote emissions-reducing technologies by allocating free additional emissions permits (valued at least €60bn). (see our press release)
New directorates on climate action and energy created in European Commission
The EU Commission has created two new Directorates-General on climate action and energy. The Climate Action DG will take over competences on climate change and international negotiations from other DGs. Connie Hedegaard will be the responsible commissioner, with Jos Delbeke as director general. The Energy DG will take over the energy competences from the former Transport and Energy DG. Günther Oettinger will be the responsible commissioner, with Philip Lowe as director general.
ROUND-UP – CLIMATE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
The UN climate negotiations are set to recommence in April in Bonn, with an extra negotiating sessions being announced. However, hopes of concluding an international agreement in 2010 were doused. Despite revelations that the US is still optimistic about the prospects of a deal in 2010, the EU seems to be now openly assuming that there will be no agreement before 2011, with climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard acknowledging this. UN climate chief Yvo de Boer, who announced his resignation this month, also stated that a deal in 2010 was ‘unlikely’. (see our blog)
New analysis shows emissions pledges fall short
A new report from the UN Environment Programme highlighted that current emissions pledges will fail to limit global warming to below 2°C. This followed on from an analysis by MIT that drew similar conclusions, as well as analysis from Point Carbon that showed the EU emissions pledge falls behind that of other countries.
US climate bill set to be gutted, as nuclear power gets federal boost
The US climate bill is set to be completely revised in an attempt to secure its passage through senate. A number of options are being considered but it seems likely that the original proposals for a cap and trade scheme will be scaled back. Meanwhile, US president Obama announced federal loan guarantees with a view to supporting the construction of the first new nuclear power plants in the US in 30 years. However, some commentators expressed doubts that the plants would ultimately be built.
IPCC science to be reviewed and the latest climate science in this month’s science overview
The UN announced it will create an independent panel to review the findings of the IPCC (see an interesting overview of the current issues surrounding the IPCC). The UK’s Met Office also announced that it would be reviewing 150 years of data. Meanwhile, new research warned of a runaway rise in methane levels, the disintegration of coral reefs, and the impact of soil on warming.