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The EU Locomotive of Climate Policy?
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt met to discuss climate change negotiations prior to December talks in Copenhagen. Ban Ki-moon said:
“I hope that the EU continues to act as both locomotive and lobbyist and with its good examples and obligations encourage the rest of the world to contribute so that we can reach an agreement in December.”
This is not only diplomatic talk. The European Union can, and should, lead on climate change. But this leadership goes far and wide beyond Copenhagen.
1. A history of European leadership in protecting the environment
The European Union is the leader in environmental protection policy. We have continually set the standards and the trends. Somewhat grudgingly, our transatlantic partners have followed. We have implemented probably the most important concept of sustainable development in many of our common policies. That is not sufficient today.
2. The current negotiations impasse
We know that the prospects for a breakthrough in Copenhagen are bleak. The president of the European Commission, Mr. Barroso, has said that there will not be a comprehensive deal reached, and that negotiations can drag on “for years”.
In the US it is quite evident that the Congress and Senate are not ready to adopt even quite modest proposals targeting climate change. The American climate skeptics are as vocal as ever.
3. How to lead?
I very much like this contribution by Professor Sebastian Oberthür that lists the most important directions for future EU leadership on climate change:
- Effective domestic climate polices – and leading by example;
- Coordination and unity among Member States in implementing and promoting climate policies;
- Strong diplomatic efforts on global climate policy;
- Reshaping the global institutional framework.
We obviously need to develop an inclusive leadership. This means engaging the business community, NGOs, regional authorities, various other stake holders. Geographically the EU leadership on climate change should aspire to include the whole European continent, the Mediterranean and Northern Africa as an area of immediate concern. We also need to work with practically all states and state formations under various regional and universal frameworks to define common interests, policies and actions.
4. Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst
Once again I would like to emphasize on the importance of climate change adaptation. We need more research, more new technologies and more policy options developed in order to face possible climate change challenges. Many if not all international players will turn to the EU for political and technological know-how transfers. Poor countries will require development aid and assistance.
5. Climate change is not an isolated phenomenon
There are many issues that are intimately intertwined with climate policy. To manage them properly, we need more efforts for climate policy integration. This approach will only further the value of the European leadership on climate change.
Comments
For further information: Prof Oberthür and I published an article last year on EU leadership on climate change, and it is available free on the International Spectator website: http://www.iai.it/SECTIONS_EN/PUBBLICAZIONI/THEINTERNATIONALSPECTATOR/tis_articoli.asp
Also, I am currently doing my PhD research on the topic of climate policy integration in the EU… In case you’re interested.
Claire, I didn’t realize that we have such an expert on board. I am humbled
Thank you for the link; please keep us posted on your research. We should really use your expertise here!
Vihar,
Think we need to be careful with something you just mentioned concerning money for adaptation.
“Poor countries will require development aid and assistance”.
The money that the EU, and other rich countries, have to pay to developing countries for having caused the climate chaos it’s OWNED MONEY, not aid. Therefore, this money should NOT be taken from exisiting promises the EU has made to increase overseas aid spending to 0.7% of national incomes. This would undermine progress towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals.
The European Commission, in its recent Communication on Climate Financing, did not make this clear… which is very worrying.
Angela, there are diverging views on this topic. I generally agree that climate change financing should be added to, and not subtracted from, current aid plans linked to the Millenium Development Goals.
But this debate, even within the EU, is not over.
You also need to address the issue of predictability. Any calculation that me make today is probably inaccurate to some extent.
I agree, Vihar, that the debate is not over (thank God!). But the language the European Commission used in its Communication on Climate Financing, published on 10 September, is worrying.
The EC proposes that “SOME” climate finance can come from the 0.7% overseas aid commitment.
The EC is not saying “all” but it is saying “some”. How much is “some”? The EC does not say it, which is dangerous.
Of course, this is just the European Commission’s opinion. Ongoing negotiations are crucial. The official EU’s position is expected to be agreed, by EU heads of state and government, on 29-30 October.
Let’s hope the EU gets much clearer about the relationship between Official Development Assistance and climate finance.
Vihar, Angela, quite an interesting issue crystallizing here. Once a young and promising statistician became the Sceptical Environmentalist and put his finger against reallocation of resources towards environment. Ever since the climate and environmental deniers have pushed hard to place nature protection and climate change in competition with other, equally important issues like heath care, poverty, development. Divide and rule is the name of the game. So I agree with Angela that the EU should be extremely cautious not to fuel an artificial and harmful controversy between sources of funding for equally vital causes. Particularly when much larger amounts are being poured into things like subsidies or military spending, not to mention the recent fashion of corporate bail-outs. Vihar, has there been any debate around these issues in the EU?
Pavel, we have discussions about everything in the EU, I believe. Yes, there are different views on the extent and mechanisms of climate change financing. Still, I believe, the EU is definitely at the forefront in financial assistance efforts.
We know from experience that arguments about financing allocation are especially fierce in the EU.
Wow, I wished I had found your blog a few years ago. This is a battle I have been having for most of my life….I’m going to go grab a cup of tea and continue reading some more….
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Just a point: the research comes from USA!
They have nothing to loose!
Thank you, it’s been a great pleasure being here.