20 October 2009 - Finance and environment ministers meeting in Strasbourg will decide the EU’s position for the UN climate negotiations in Copenhagen this week (20 and 21 October).

Ahead of these crucial meetings, the Euro-Parliament’s environment committee has adopted a strong resolution on the Copenhagen negotiations and the EU position. Commenting on the resolution, UK Green MEP Caroline Lucas said:

"The resolution adopted last night by an overwhelming majority in the environment committee (1) must serve as the benchmark for the EU position at the UN climate negotiations. If EU governments are serious about their goal of limiting global warming to below 2˚C, they must adopt policies that are consistent with this tough approach.

"This means pushing for an international climate deal that provides for binding emissions reductions for industrialised countries in the high end of range recommended by the IPCC, i.e. 25-40% by 2020 based on1990 levels to give a 50:50 chance of limiting warming to less than 2˚C.

“In addition, MEPs have clearly stated that EU leaders must consider going beyond the 30% reduction target. The EU will have to reduce its emissions by at least 40% if it is to do its fair share as part of an international climate agreement that aims to limit warming to 2 degree. Even then, such a target would only give us a 50/50 chance of avoiding dangerous climate change.

"MEPs are also urging the EU to up its game on climate financing for developing countries. The resolution calls for EU governments to provide at least €30bn per annum (by 2020) for mitigation and adaptation efforts. It specifies that this funding should be new, guaranteed and additional to existing overseas development aid – and not dependent on annual budgetary procedures in EU member states.

"Early drafts of the conclusions due to be adopted by finance and environment ministers reflect the familiar hypocrisy of EU climate diplomacy. Despite continual restatement of the EU’s goal of limiting global warming to 2˚C, EU governments continue to propose insufficient action to limit emissions, and are in denial about the scale of assistance required for efforts in developing countries in order to reach that overarching goal."

Dr Lucas MEP concluded: "The time for prevarication and fudging has long passed. With the UN climate talks on a knife edge, it is time for the EU to reclaim its leadership position. This means adopting climate policies along the lines outlined by the MEPs in the environment committee."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

(1) European Parliament environment committee vote (19 October) on a resolution on the EU strategy for the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change:  55 votes in favour; 1 vote against; 3 abstentions.