The Council discussed preparations for the Copenhagen climate conference (7-18 December 2009).
The Council was first briefed on various aspects of the ongoing international talks for a new international climate protection regime for the period from 2013.
President of the Copenhagen meeting Danish minister Connie Hedegaard, Polish minister Maciej Nowicki and UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer spoke about the path to the international climate conference. Commissioner Stavros Dimas gave an outline of EU greenhouse gas emissions trends and emissions reductions proposals by other parties while Norwegian minister Hanne Bjurstrøm talked about initiatives to reduce deforestation in developing countries. Lastly, French minister Jean-Louis Borloo presented his "climate justice" plan. Over lunch, ministers held a policy debate on this issue.
The president summarised the discussions as follows:
Ministers confirmed the existing EU position for the Copenhagen talks and underlined the need to show EU leadership at the conference. The EU still aims for a legally binding agreement that will come into force in 2013 and will build on the Kyoto Protocol. Such an agreement would have to cover all elements of the Bali Action Plan and encompass all countries.
The EU will keep pressing other parties to present ambitious pledges to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. Ministers welcomed recent developments whereby some parties have increased their bids and others have offered emissions reductions for the first time. At the same time, the EU will continue using its conditional offer to move by 2020 to a 30 % reduction compared to 1990 levels as a lever to increase other parties' pledges.
Ministers also debated the EU's vision for the outcome of the Copenhagen conference. It was highlighted that the main decisions will have to be taken in Copenhagen, including binding emissions reduction commitments and a timetable for drafting ratifiable text. Those decisions must be followed up with immediate action, including quick financial assistance to developing countries and measures to prevent deforestation.
The EU position for Copenhagen, adopted in October 2009, is set out in the Conclusions adopted by the Council (Environment) on 21 October 2009 (please see the following Council documents 14790/09 and 15265/09). This position will continue to evolve during the 15th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen (7 to 18 December 2009).