Work on proposal for Copenhagen climate deal under way in Bonn
Two weeks of UN climate change talks were launched today in Bonn, Germany. The aim is to draft a new global climate protection agreement to be adopted
at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December. The delegation of the Czech Presidency is headed by the Director of the Department of Climate Change of the Environment Ministry, Pavel Zámyslický.
Unequivocal commitments by developed countries to cut, by 2020, their greenhouse gas emissions by 25 - 40 % from 1990 levels represent a key to the new climate deal. “Developing countries should contribute as well, namely by significantly slowing down (by 15 - 30 %) the current steep rise in their greenhouse gas production and by preparing their own low carbon development policies and strategies”, said Pavel Zámyslický. Also importantly, this deal is expected to comprise an agreement concerning the financing of these measures (estimated at tens of billions of dollars on a yearly basis) – in particular, the funds should cover the transfer of low-carbon technologies and the costs of adapting to the negative impacts of climate change.
Delegates will also address the future role of emissions trading and changes in the flexible mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol and the possible inclusion of geological carbon capture and storage (CCS) into this system. Another important issue is that of reducing emissions caused by deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries – this specific source accounts for 20 % of global anthropogenic emissions.
At the conference attended by several thousand delegates from governments and the non-profit sector, the Czech Republic coordinates the EU Member States and takes part in negotiations on behalf of the EU. The agenda includes a number of bilateral meetings with the world’s largest economies (the USA, China, Russia, Brazil etc.).
Over the coming days, delegates in Bonn are expected to discuss already the first proposals prepared by chairmen of working groups. These texts are to become the basis of the new “Copenhagen deal”.
Contact:
- Jakub Kašpar, spokesperson of the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic
- tel.: +420 267 122 040, mobile: +420 724 175 927; e-mail: [email protected]
Last update: 16.8.2011 15:19
