The latest IPCC report
on climate change estimates that there are
only two decades to implement effective
greenhouse gas reduction measures to control
and limit global temperature increases.
'The sooner we act, the more effective and
cost efficient efforts at controlling climate
change will be,' said Professor Jacqueline
McGlade, Executive Director of the EEA.
20 years and counting down
Themes Climate change
We have seen the cost of inaction in terms
of people's lives and our environment in
the past.
Professor Jacqueline McGlade, Executive
Director of the EEA
Professor McGlade was speaking after the
launch of 'Mitigation of Climate Change',
the third in a series of reports from the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC). The report, written by a panel of
international scientists on behalf of the
UN, focuses on measures to counter climate
change.
'We have seen the cost of inaction in terms
of people's lives and our environment in
the past with examples such as the collapse
of fish stocks, the use of asbestos in buildings,
acid rain and lead in petrol. These problems
have been successfully addressed through
international action. It pays to act now
to secure the long term', she said.
The IPCC report stresses the urgency of
the situation, estimating that there are
only two decades to implement effective
greenhouse gas reduction measures to control
and limit global temperature increases.
The largest emission reduction potential
is in increased energy efficiency in electricity
and heat generation, in building insulation
and by substantially expanding renewable
energy. Investments in energy supply in
developing countries, modernisation of energy
infrastructure in developed countries and
policies to increase energy security create
opportunities to achieve emission reductions,
the report says.
Technology, existing as well as new innovations,
will also have a key role to play, according
to the IPCC. However, these technologies
will only thrive if appropriate incentives
are created and investments in research
and development are increased.
'We need to create the right economic environment
with the necessary incentives leading to
more investment in competitive, environmentally
friendly technologies. We have already seen
this approach working. For example, strong
taxation of petrol in Europe and high regulatory
standards led to cars that have been almost
twice as fuel efficient as cars on America's
roads, in recent decades', Professor McGlade
said.
The IPCC report also stresses the need
to establish an effective, global emissions
trading scheme, which would set a realistic
price on CO2 emissions. This will also help
create incentives for producers and consumers
to invest in products, technologies and
processes with low or zero emissions.
A broad range of instruments — standards,
taxes, charges, tradable emissions permits,
voluntary agreements — are available to
establish markets for low CO2 or zero emission
technologies, according to the report.
'The EEA has long advocated a gradual shift
away from taxes on labour and investment
towards taxes on pollution and the inefficient
use of materials and land. We also need
reforms in the way that subsidies are applied
to transport, housing, energy and agriculture.
We need subsidies encouraging sustainable
practices and efficient technologies', Professor
McGlade said.
For more information on climate change
and market-based instruments, please see
the following reports:
Climate change and water adaptation issues
Vulnerability and adaptation to climate
change in Europe
Using the market for cost-effective environmental
policy
You can visit the IPCC homepage here: http://www.ipcc.ch/
Asia and Europe — cooperating on climate
change
Closer, more effective cooperation in tackling
global climate change will be one of the
topics under discussion today as the EEA
hosts a panel discussion amongst Asian and
European experts in climate change policy.
Themes Climate change
The event has particular relevance as tomorrow
the Danish government will host the 'Asia-Europe
Meeting' (ASEM) in Copenhagen. ASEM is an
informal dialogue between EU Member States,
the European Commission and 13 Asian countries.
The EEA panel debate is organised in cooperation
with ASEM's Environment Forum (ENVforum)
and should provide valuable food for thought
for delegates attending Tuesday's meeting.
With the approach of 2012, and the end
of the first phase of the Kyoto process,
it is a good time to begin evaluating the
progress and setbacks the world has encountered
in drawing up a global framework of action
on climate change.
There have been many claims and counter-arguments
as to the effectiveness of global climate
change policy. It is clear that there is
still a great deal to be done. The debate
will assess current policies and suggest
future strategies. Key areas of discussion
will include:
the costs and benefits of a global climate
policy;
the roles of governments and societies in
global climate policy;
the experiences of stakeholders with the
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM);
the importance of aid and cooperation with
developing countries.
The debate aims to:
provide an impartial platform for genuine
dialogue and debate on post-2012 climate
change regimes, presenting viewpoints from
many stakeholders: governments, scholars,
researchers, NGOs, the business sector and
young people;
formulate recommendations, particularly
on Asia-Europe cooperation within the ASEM
framework;
contribute to an ASEM perspective within
the global discourse on post-2012 climate
policy, in view of the expected definitive
international negotiations at the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change 13th Conference
of Parties which will take place at the
end of 2007.
Information on the outcomes of the panel
discussions will be presented in a report
that the ENVforum will prepare for the ASEM
Environment ministers.
