Ladislav Miko represented the EU at a meeting of major world economies on climate change
The Minister of the Environment and President of the EU Environment Council, Ladislav Miko, participated in the second preparatory meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Climate Change, which took place from 25 to 26 May in France.
The main topic of the meeting was the new climate agreement to be concluded in Copenhagen, its financing and dissemination of the relevant technologies.
This was the second of three preparatory meetings of the Major Economies Forum (MEF) prior to the July meeting at the level of heads of state in Italy. The objective of these meetings is to move forward in negotiations resulting in the successful conclusion of a new climate agreement in Copenhagen in December.
The MEF, which was originally founded as the MEM (Major Economies Meeting) by former US President George W. Bush, was renewed and modified by the new US Administration.
In Paris, representatives of the 17 largest world economies, which discharge almost 80 % of all global emissions of greenhouse gases, considered a solution to climate change, dissemination of mitigation and adaptation technologies and financing of climate protection. “In order for the new climate agreement, which is to be adopted in Copenhagen in December 2009, to be effective, it must be joined by all important producers of greenhouse gases. The largest global economies should set themselves ambitious, attainable and credible emission commitments,” said Ladislav Miko, Minister of the Environment and President of the EU Environment Council.
The functioning of the new climate agreement also requires the introduction of transparent financial mechanisms whereby developed countries could help developing countries in resolving the impacts of climate change. Indeed, the potential financial mechanisms that could assist developed countries in reducing emissions and, particularly, contribute to adaptation to unfavorable impacts of climate change (such as drought, raising sea levels etc) were an important item on the agenda of the meeting of the largest global economies in Paris. The financing should be derived from multiple sources, public and private, domestic and international, including profits from trading in emission allowances. The financing for climate change should be based on utilisation of the existing financial mechanisms.
“The Czech Presidency appreciates the positive attitude of President Obama’s Administration and its decision to actively join the negotiations on the new climate agreement and deal with the climate crisis,” Ladislav Miko said on behalf of the European Union at the conclusion of the meeting.
The third preparatory meeting of the MEF will take place in Mexico in June.
contact:
- Jakub Kašpar, Spokesperson, Ministry of the Environment, Czech Republic
- tel.: +420 267 122 040, GSM: +420 724 175 927; e-mail: jakub.kaspar@mzp.cz
Last update: 16.8.2011 15:20
