11/2/2005
EU Commission Proposes Post-Kyoto Climate Change Strategy

The European Commission this week set out its future policies for fighting climate change. These include proposals for negotiating a follow on after 2012 when the first commitment period under the Kyoto protocol ends. The aim is to bring on board both countries that are major emitters of greenhouse gases and those whose economies are still developing. Among the developments proposed is that maritime transport and aviation should be included in any post-2012 climate change regime.

"Fighting climate change is not a matter of choice, but a matter of necessity," said Stavros Dimas, the EU's Greek Environment Commissioner. "We will continue to lead by example, but we will also continue to pressure hard for all of our international partners to come on board. I am convinced that it is still possible to keep to our commitment of limiting temperature increases to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius. What is more, our projections indicate that the costs associated with the post-2012 strategy as outlined today are manageable for our economies."

The Commission document underlines that the transition to a climate-friendly society offers economic opportunities for the EU, reinforcing its goal to become a more competitive economy. The proposals, requested by EU heads of state and government, outline how the EU can develop increased energy efficiency and security of energy supply. They include an increase in EU spending on research, and the development of new climate-friendly technologies for which demand is growing. They will be debated later this Spring.

The Commission's report recommends that the EU's post-2012 strategy should include the following elements:

Broader international participation in reducing emissions. The EU should continue to lead multilateral efforts to address climate change, but identify incentives for other major emitting countries, including developing countries, to come on board. During 2005, it should explore options for a future regime based on common but differentiated responsibilities.

Inclusion of more sectors, notably aviation, maritime transport and forestry since deforestation in some regions significantly contributes to rising greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

A push for innovation in the EU to ensure the development and uptake of new climate-friendly technologies and the right decisions on long-term investments into the energy, transport and building infrastructure.

The continued use of flexible market-based instruments for reducing emissions in the EU and globally, such as the EU emissions trading scheme.

Adaptation policies in the EU and globally, which require more efforts to identify vulnerabilities and to implement measures to increase resilience.

In preparation for the above the document recommends accelerated implementation of existing policies that reduce emissions and which foster new technologies, raising public awareness, more focused research, increased co-operation with third countries and the launch of a new phase in the European Climate Change Programme to review progress and identify further options for cost-effective emission reductions.