BRUSSLES: Warning that failure in Cancun could derail the entire United Nations process of climate change, European Union Commissioner for Climate Change Connie Hedegaard has stated that the world cannot afford to take the risk at this crucial moment.
Talking to a group of visiting journalists, Ms. Hedegaard said the momentum has to be kept up in Cancun and global leaders should build up on what was achieved in Copenhagen. “There is a risk that some key parties involved in the climate change talks will start losing interest in the whole process if something concrete does not emerge from Cancun,'' she remarked. The UN-backed talks kick off on November 29 in Cancun
Ms. Hedegaard also acknowledged that negotiating in Cancun would be a tough job given the unchanging positions of China and United States. Both the countries had clashed at the UN-sponsored climate meeting in China in October, charging each other of blocking progress ahead of Cancun. “Both US and China have a huge responsibility,'' she added.
She called for an innovative approach and smaller goals, such as deals on deforestation, setting up climate warning systems, progress on financing, and encouraging the transfer of cleaner technology to poorer countries.
The European Union is already pushing for establishment of a “Green Fund'' to dispense money under the climate change programme. “The United States should give guidance on disbursal and multi-agencies should be involved in that job. Fast tack disbursal was very important as it is the golden key,'' Arthur Metzger, Director for International and Climate Strategy and Director-General Climate Action said.
Ms. Hedegaard said the recent weather including an unprecedented heat wave in Russia, record temperatures in the Middle East, heavy rain in Northern Europe and flooding which caused massive mud slides in China fits with scientific predictions regarding climate change.
On India, she said Europe would not like it to make real emission cuts for now. “Everyone realises that India has growing energy consumption for many years to come. But in the field of how to measure, report and verify (MRV) what we have agreed on, we would have to find good solutions we all can live with,'' she added.
She said Cancun is an important step on the road for a legal deal in South Africa next year and it must be treated as such.
