Work
22.November 2005 - 00:00
Climate agreement between six Pacific countries
At the end of July, China, India, the United States of America, Australia, Japan and South Korea concluded an agreement on cooperation to limit greenhouse gas emissions. This climate agreement is based on the development and transfer of technology. There are many who regard the approach adopted in this climate initiative as an alternative to emission quotas for individual countries as provided for in the Kyoto Protocol, and it lends force to the view that, in the period after 2012, climate policy will no longer adhere to the Kyoto model. Others see this as an agreement which supplements the Kyoto model, which has the same objective but merely uses different means.
What is the Commission's view of the matter? Does it consider that the climate agreement which has now been concluded between six countries could serve a complementary function in attaining the Kyoto objectives? How will the six-country climate agreement affect the EU's future climate policies?
Answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission
Climate change requires urgent action. The EU therefore welcomes any effective actions taken by Governments that are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Commission sees the Asia Pacific Partnership as one of a number of co-operation initiatives promoting lower carbon technologies internationally, and is looking forward to the results of the upcoming ministerial meeting that will define tangible actions.
It is worth noting that the six signatories (United States, Japan, Australia, China, India and South Korea) stress that the Partnership does not constitute an alternative to Kyoto. In fact, four out of the six current members have ratified the Kyoto Protocol. Furthermore, it is stated that the initiative is complementary to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as is for instance the G8 Gleneagles Plan of Action.
The Commission also participates in many similar initiatives. In September 2005, two new agreements were reached with China and India in order to deepen the bilateral cooperation on climate change in a number of fields. In addition, the Commission is a member of other partnerships like the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership and the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum. These partnerships can play a catalytic role in accelerating progress in climate-relevant research, technology development and demonstration. Thereby, they will complement necessary mandatory legislative action like, for instance, the European Climate Change Programme leading to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in order to achieve the EU’s Kyoto commitment.
At the end of July, China, India, the United States of America, Australia, Japan and South Korea concluded an agreement on cooperation to limit greenhouse gas emissions. This climate agreement is based on the development and transfer of technology. There are many who regard the approach adopted in this climate initiative as an alternative to emission quotas for individual countries as provided for in the Kyoto Protocol, and it lends force to the view that, in the period after 2012, climate policy will no longer adhere to the Kyoto model. Others see this as an agreement which supplements the Kyoto model, which has the same objective but merely uses different means.
What is the Commission's view of the matter? Does it consider that the climate agreement which has now been concluded between six countries could serve a complementary function in attaining the Kyoto objectives? How will the six-country climate agreement affect the EU's future climate policies?
Answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission
Climate change requires urgent action. The EU therefore welcomes any effective actions taken by Governments that are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Commission sees the Asia Pacific Partnership as one of a number of co-operation initiatives promoting lower carbon technologies internationally, and is looking forward to the results of the upcoming ministerial meeting that will define tangible actions.
It is worth noting that the six signatories (United States, Japan, Australia, China, India and South Korea) stress that the Partnership does not constitute an alternative to Kyoto. In fact, four out of the six current members have ratified the Kyoto Protocol. Furthermore, it is stated that the initiative is complementary to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as is for instance the G8 Gleneagles Plan of Action.
The Commission also participates in many similar initiatives. In September 2005, two new agreements were reached with China and India in order to deepen the bilateral cooperation on climate change in a number of fields. In addition, the Commission is a member of other partnerships like the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership and the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum. These partnerships can play a catalytic role in accelerating progress in climate-relevant research, technology development and demonstration. Thereby, they will complement necessary mandatory legislative action like, for instance, the European Climate Change Programme leading to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in order to achieve the EU’s Kyoto commitment.