EU demands that Copenhagen Conference result in rapid action for rainforests

The EU wants a Copenhagen agreement to contain rapid action for adaptation measures and against deforestation. This was the message presented by Swedish Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren in a debate in the European Parliament on Tuesday.

"Rapid funds for adaptation measures and measures against rainforest devastation are crucial. We must take rapid action if we are to divert the global emissions curve downwards. Rapid action is crucial if we are to have any possibility of keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius," says Mr Carlgren.

The EU has established that emissions from international transport must be reduced. A 10 per cent reduction for air transport and a 20 per cent reduction for maritime transport compared with 2005 levels are needed by 2020. This will mean a reduction in emissions from currently unregulated sectors.

"The EU is calling for the Copenhagen Conference to lead to fees from air and maritime transport being used to pay for initiatives in developing countries, particularly the very poorest ones," says Mr Carlgren.

Deforestation is responsible for one fifth of global emissions. Initiatives for the rainforest are needed in order to keep global warming below two degrees Celsius.

"Rainforest devastation must be halved by 2020 and stopped by 2030. The EU is calling for the Copenhagen Conference to take decisions to stop rainforest devastation, support reforestation and create sustainable forestry. This is the only way to reduce emissions sufficiently quickly and achieve success in Copenhagen."

The EU has established that it should reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 80 95 per cent by 2050, compared with 1990 levels. Irrespective of other circumstances the EU will reduce emissions by 20 per cent by 2020, but it wants to reduce them by 30 per cent if other partners are willing to commit to sufficient emissions reductions. Using its own far-reaching bids as a basis, the EU is continuing to press for other partners to raise their bids in the negotiations.

"There has been talk ahead of Copenhagen of a `two-step solution´. For the EU, the agreement in Copenhagen is rather the decisive step. It is in Copenhagen that the decision for the climate must be taken, containing all that is important to save the climate. The Earth´s climate has waited long enough. The time for an agreement is now."

- Asian Tribune -