The Copenhagen Climate Summit, the biggest environmental meeting of all time, opened on the 7th December will run until the 18th December. As we approach the end of the first week we take a look at what the different stakeholders are calling for.
A Road to Safety, The Important Issues
Economically Developed Countries- Must agree to cut emissions between 25-45% by 2020, based on 1990 levels, rising to 80-95% by 2050, if the world is to avoid catastrophic climate change and a temperature rise over even 2C. Developed countries have grown rich on fossil fuels and are still guilty of emitting huge amounts of greenhouse gases per person. So they have a responsibility to make the largest cuts.
Measure of Success- Agreed
Emission cuts of between 25-45% by 2020, based on 1990 levels
Emerging Economies- Nations such as India, China and Brazil have surging levels of greenhouse gas emissions, due to rapid economic growth. Any global curb in emissions must include a reduction in emissions from these countries. In comparison to more developed countries, they still have very small emissions per person, and contain large populations of people in severe poverty. Emerging economies argue that they must continue to pollute in order to raise the standard of living in their countries.
Measure of Success- Agreements to lower the amount of carbon emitted, compared to a business as usual scenario. Somewhere in the range of 15-30% by 2020.
Small Island Nations- The group who are least responsible for the current effects of climate change, will be urging the other groups to make deeper, more immediate cuts. The first week of the summit has seen this group call for cuts that will limit temperature increases to no more than 1.5C. Funding is crucial for climate mitigation within these countries.
Measure of Success- Other groups listen to their calls for a 1.5C temperature target not 2C.
The Cost of Climate Change- A future of low carbon technologies may well be cheaper than our current fossil fuel driven society and it may hold great hope for Co-operatives, but there is a short term cost. It is agreed that the small island nations have done the least to cause climate change and funding to prevent the worst of its effects in these nations must be agreed. Richer countries will need to pay billions to support this going forward. The EU has already agreed €7.2bn between 2010 and 2012. The cost of switching to a non fossil fuel future, through introducing large scale renewables will also be costly in the short term. Emerging economies will be looking to avoid a carbon intensive industrial revolution, but instead bypass it by develop a green economy, something the developed world will be expected to initially fund.
Measure of Success- The current offer on the table of €100bn per year, proposed by the EU must increase according to experts to anything from €200bn per year to €600bn a year.
Politics of the Summit- Developing nations want to continue with the Kyoto protocol, with developed nations having clear responsibilities outlined. Emerging economies want a new protocol that would increase emission targets for developed nations. Developed nations want a climate fund run by the World Bank, where they have more control, developing nations seek continued UN rule as they are better represented within the organisation.
Measure of Success- Any mutual agreement will be a success.
Deforestation- With 17% of all current emissions being a result of deforestation, an agreement must be reached that stops deforestation. Issues of ownership, verification and ligitiate claims are all current issues that hinder deforestation work.
Measure of Success- The cost of cutting emissions must be dealt with, however an agreement will have to be reached on who will police deforestation. Options could include an international governing body, or a more advisory body.