EU Climate Pact Seen Aiding Shift From Russia Gas
NORWAY: November 3, 2008
OSLO - Creation of green jobs and a drive to cut reliance on Russian gas
should help convince the European Union to agree a climate deal this year
despite fears of a world economic slowdown, Denmark's Climate and Energy
Minister said.
Connie Hedegaard said approval by EU leaders of a package of measures to cut
greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 would
brighten prospects for a UN climate deal meant to be agreed in Copenhagen at
the end of 2009.
"I'm sure a compromise will be found" to enable EU leaders to agree the
package in December, she told Reuters by telephone. "It may not be very
beautiful, but I'm confident."
EU leaders aim to agree the measures, which include getting 20 percent of
power from renewable energy by 2020, even though nations such as Poland and
Italy worry about the costs of shifting from fossil fuels and possible job
losses.
Hedegaard said failure would mean Europe could get left behind in a global
shift to new jobs, for instance in renewable energies such as solar or wind
power.
More and more governments realise that "it's very bad for the whole of
Europe if we protect the industries of yesterday instead of preparing the
responses that will make us rich tomorrow," she said.
And she said East European nations would benefit from energy efficiency,
cuts in use of fossil fuels that emit heat-trapping gases when burnt, and a
diversification of supplies.
"Many European countries have a strategic priority to be less dependent on
gas from Russia ... that has a high priority for Eastern European countries
which are among the most sceptical looking at this package," she said.
CZECH REPUBLIC
She predicted that nations would soon return to address global warming after
the shock of financial turmoil. The UN Climate Panel warns that climate
change could bring more droughts, heatwaves, spread disease and raise ocean
levels.
She said that the Czech Republic, which will take on the rotating EU
presidency from France in January, had signalled no interest in inheriting
such a complex package unfinished. Hedegaaard was visiting the Czech
Republic on Friday.
She also said it was a "million dollar question" whether the next US
administration would be ready to promise clear targets for cuts in
greenhouse gas emissions at the Copenhagen talks.
More than 190 nations agreed last year to agree a broad new international
accord in Copenhagen to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, which binds just 37
developed nations to cut emissions by 5 percent below 1990 levels by
2008-12.
They also agreed rich nations would have to make "comparable" efforts, a
potential tripwire in US-EU ties since US emissions are running about 14
percent above 1990 levels and President George W. Bush foresees a peak only
in 2025.
Bush rejected Kyoto as too costly and unfair for omitting 2012 goals for
developing nations. Both Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain
have promised to do far more but no legislation outlining cuts has succeeded
in Congress.
"This area...would be a very obvious and attractive area" for a new
president to stress a difference with Bush and take quick action, Hedegaard
said. China and the United States are the top two emitters of greenhouse
gases.
She expressed guarded optimism for Copenhagen, saying that it was becoming a
chance for governments to prove they can act on a major challenge despite
worries about recession.
(Editing by Alister Doyle)
Story by Alister Doyle, Environment Correspondent
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
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