Climate campaign newsletter – Cancun special: Issue 40 – December 2010
FOCUS ON CANCUN
– Cancun climate talks kick off with similar disputes and low hopes
– Forest protection in the spotlight at Cancun
– Climate aid for developing countries could be conflict point for UN talks
GREEN EYE ON THE EU’S CLIMATE EFFORT
– EU set to outline scheme to clamp down on dodgy HFC offsets
– Subsidies to coal mines could be prolonged further than planned
– EU energy strategies give mixed messages
ROUND-UP – CLIMATE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
– US a “disappearing” actor in climate negotiations
– China pushing forward with climate and energy action
– Japan slips back on climate commitment
– IEA calls for end to fossil fuel subsidies, warns on high oil price
– All the latest climate science in our round-up
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FOCUS ON CANCUN
This year’s UN climate summit (COP16) kicked off in Cancun on 29 November amidst dampened expectations, with some commentators writing off any chances of a global UN climate deal for the foreseeable future. Despite the gloom, Cancun is expected to make decisions in key areas – including a framework for tackling deforestation and a mechanism for climate aid – as summed up by EU climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard (see our blog).
As the talks have progressed, old disputes that have dogged the talks persist. The US has ruffled feathers with its refusal to budge and blinkered focus on the Copenhagen Accord. The EU has drawn criticism for its obfuscation on its climate aid pledges, while differences of opinion on the role of the carbon market persist. However, there has been some progress on the crucial issue of MRV (measurement, reporting and verification of mitigation efforts), while the UN also came up with a proposal on a global phase-out of incandescent light bulbs.
Forest protection in the spotlight at Cancun
One of the key issues on which a decision is hoped for in Cancun is forest protection or, in UN speak, agreeing a framework on REDD+ (the reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) (see our blog). Progress throughout the year has meant that environment ministers will hopefully be able to sign a deal on this issue. In the meantime, the talks have been buoyed by positive news on Brazil’s efforts to reduce Amazonian deforestation and rocked by revelations of flaws in the current programme aimed at promoting forest protection.
Climate aid for developing countries could be conflict point for UN talks
Climate aid for developing countries is another of the key issues for Cancun, with hopes for an agreement on a proper funding mechanism for long term climate aid post-2012 (see our blog). The issue of short-term or ‘fast start’ climate aid is also seen as crucial to rebuilding the trust of developing countries in the UN talks. To this end, it was hoped that rich countries would be able to demonstrate that they are delivering on their pledges to provide $30 billion in new and additional aid from 2010-12. Unfortunately, there were already concerns that industrialised countries might using trying to backtrack on their promises. An EU confession that it plans to use loans, rather than direct aid, for much of its funding has only thrown oil on this fire.
GREEN EYE ON THE EU’S CLIMATE EFFORT
EU set to outline scheme 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 EU is expected to outline a proposal to clamp down on the use of such offsets at Cancun.
Subsidies to coal mines could be prolonged further than planned
Operational subsidies to coal mines, which would effectively prolong the life of uncompetitive mines, could be extended even further than planned after the EP voted to amend a Commission proposal on phasing-out state aid to the sector (see our press release). The EU Commission originally proposed phasing-out these subsidies (which were originally due to run out this year) by 2014 but the EP voted to prolong subsidies even further, until 2018. Coal-friendly energy commissioner Gunther Oettinger is licking his lips at the prospect of a further extension. EU governments will now have the final say.
EU energy strategies give mixed messages
The European Commission presented two energy strategies in November. The first was an EU energy strategy up until 2020, which was criticised for its pro-nuclear and coal bias (see our press release). The other was an EU energy infrastructure plan, dealing with the infrastructure needs and the energy sector make-up up to 2030 (see our press release).
ROUND-UP – CLIMATE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
US a “disappearing” actor in climate negotiations
The US administration has given up on landmark legislation aimed at introducing a cap and trade scheme to implement its emissions reduction pledge. This has led some in the EU to describe the US as a “disappearing” partner on climate change. These fears have been confirmed by the US hard ball negotiating strategy at Cancun so far.
China pushing forward with climate and energy action
China has pushed forward with action on climate change and energy, outlining a five-year plan in November. November was also the month when it finally acknowledged being the biggest greenhouse gas emitter and the biggest energy consumer. There are also positive signs from the climate talks that it is willing to progress on the crucial issue of MRV (measurement, reporting and verification of mitigation efforts).
Japan slips back on climate commitment
Japan announced in November that it would delay planned legislation on greenhouse gas emissions. It has also gone out of its way (in the context of the UN climate negotiations) to underline its opposition to any extension of the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012.
IEA calls for end to fossil fuel subsidies, warns on high oil price
The International Energy Agency presented its world energy outlook in November. Among the key issues in the outlook, the IEA called for an end to fossil fuel subsidies – joining a growing chorus. The agency also warned of high oil prices if climate pledges are not met.
The latest climate science in our round-up
The major agencies confirmed 2010 is on track to be one of the hottest years on record. It was revealed that greenhouse gases are at record levels. Scientists warned of a 4 degree rise in temperatures, while UN scientists argued that current emissions pledges fall short of addressing climate change.