Yvo de Boer speaks out on the post-Copenhagen challenges
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Monday, 01 February 2010 16:45
The official deadline for signatories to send their emissions cuts commitments to the UNFCCC had been set on 31 January. Following the agreement reached at the COREPER meeting of 20 January, the EU has sent its commitment’s notification to the UN on Thursday 28 January. As agreed, the EU has committed itself to reduce its overall emissions by 20% of 1990 levels, and offers to increase this cut to 30% if other major emitters commit themselves to comparable goals. On Wednesday 27 January, European Voice published an article in which Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, gave his opinion on the recent international climate negotiations and on the level of ambition major powers have to show if they are to face the challenges in terms of global warming…
On the basis of his regular talks with signatory countries, Mr. de Boer feels that the Copenhagen Accord “should not lead to a new negotiating track but can be used to unlock areas of disagreement in the ongoing talks.”
Putting into perspective the criticisms that followed the summit’s outcome, he welcomes the fact that “negotiators came close to decisions on a set of measures that would make a long-term response operational: a framework to help poor countries adapt, a mechanism to speed up technology transfer, a programme to build capacity and agreements to cut emissions from deforestation and agriculture.”
Yvo de Boer believes that western countries should “raise their collective mid-term emission cuts into the minus 25%-40% range that science has indicated would avoid the worst climate impacts”. Indeed, these figures are in line with the findings of the UN IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). As “failure to achieve this can only mean the need for greater ambition later”, it would be wise to show a higher level of ambition as soon as possible, according to Mr. de Boer.
Turning to the issue of the criticized UN governance and decision process, Mr. de Boer points out that “multilateral agreements are the only tool the world has to agree laws, regulations, accounting norms and market mechanisms that consolidate and catalyse global action, and keep it honest. It is increasingly impossible for nations to act confidently without these reference points, in a world where no one bloc calls the shots.” He adds that “every tool we have to combat climate change on a global scale has come through the multilateral process: the Kyoto Protocol, the Clean Development Mechanism, the Adaptation Fund for developing nations, and the convention's financial arm (GEF), which gives dedicated funding access for the poorest and most vulnerable. To reinvent these structures would take time and money the world does not have.”
According to him, the Copenhagen Accord addressed critical issues that are “as relevant as ever” when we consider experts’ previsions on global warming and climate change. While lots of people are expressing disappointment and pessimism regarding the non-binding agreement that has been reached in the Danish capital last month, Yvo de Boer urges countries to “follow up Copenhagen's outcomes calmly and with their eye on the collective advantage. Then they have every chance of completing this promise”, he concludes.
Putting into perspective the criticisms that followed the summit’s outcome, he welcomes the fact that “negotiators came close to decisions on a set of measures that would make a long-term response operational: a framework to help poor countries adapt, a mechanism to speed up technology transfer, a programme to build capacity and agreements to cut emissions from deforestation and agriculture.”
Yvo de Boer believes that western countries should “raise their collective mid-term emission cuts into the minus 25%-40% range that science has indicated would avoid the worst climate impacts”. Indeed, these figures are in line with the findings of the UN IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). As “failure to achieve this can only mean the need for greater ambition later”, it would be wise to show a higher level of ambition as soon as possible, according to Mr. de Boer.
Turning to the issue of the criticized UN governance and decision process, Mr. de Boer points out that “multilateral agreements are the only tool the world has to agree laws, regulations, accounting norms and market mechanisms that consolidate and catalyse global action, and keep it honest. It is increasingly impossible for nations to act confidently without these reference points, in a world where no one bloc calls the shots.” He adds that “every tool we have to combat climate change on a global scale has come through the multilateral process: the Kyoto Protocol, the Clean Development Mechanism, the Adaptation Fund for developing nations, and the convention's financial arm (GEF), which gives dedicated funding access for the poorest and most vulnerable. To reinvent these structures would take time and money the world does not have.”
According to him, the Copenhagen Accord addressed critical issues that are “as relevant as ever” when we consider experts’ previsions on global warming and climate change. While lots of people are expressing disappointment and pessimism regarding the non-binding agreement that has been reached in the Danish capital last month, Yvo de Boer urges countries to “follow up Copenhagen's outcomes calmly and with their eye on the collective advantage. Then they have every chance of completing this promise”, he concludes.
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