Climate change – from negotiation to action

Carmen Fernandez The Spanish Presidency should promote an ambitious climate change policy. Zoom In

Following the UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen in December 2009, the Spanish Presidency will face the challenge of translating the outcome of the international negotiations immediately into further EU policy action. At the global level, the EU must play a leading role in facilitating and promoting the follow-up process of a Copenhagen agreement. Important aspects and procedures still have to be clarified to ensure implementation and ratification of new legally binding commitments for the post-2012 period under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Therefore decisive action is needed to reinforce the EU’s ambition and efforts regarding the reduction of its own domestic greenhouse gas emissions, the development of a comprehensive climate change adaptation strategy as well as provision of sufficient financial and technical support
for developing countries.

Under the Spanish Presidency:

• The European Council, European Parliament and European Commission must agree on enhancing the EU Energy and Climate Package: Member States should commit to an aggregate target of 40% greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2020 based on 1990 levels with at least 30% of the effort to be achieved by domestic measures.
• The Presidency and Member States must decide how to ensure a fair EU contribution to international climate financing, stopping the destruction of tropical forests and strengthening the resilience of ecosystems.
• The EU and all Member States must address and account for greenhouse gas emissions from all important carbon sources and sinks through sustainable land use policies.
• The Spanish Presidency should also promote an ambitious climate change policy with the EU Presidencies which follow, to ensure Europe will speak and act with one voice on climate change.