Don Gerritsen - dinsdag 16 december 2008 No we can't

The European Union leaders have just agreed on the EU climate and energy package, which sets out how 27 countries will cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2020. This decision may seem a succes in the fight against climate change. It was difficult to come to an agreement, because of the various economic interests of member states.

The agreement entails the following in the EU:

20% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, 20% increase in use of renewable energy by 2020 and 20% cut in energy consumption through improved energy efficiency by 2020. But the initial plan for industries to pay for emissions permits has dramatically changed. No penalties are imposed on industries not meeting the reduction target and the Netherlands gets more money for carbon capture and storage pilot projects...

Whilst walking around through the corridors of the United Nations climate change conference in Poznan, one inevitably notices that the world needs to reduce its emissions by 25-40% by 2020 in order to avoid climate disasters. More ambitious emissions cuts are needed than the EU has agreed on. Hence, this agreement is not as great a succes as it seemed. Hopefully the EU is still willing to to cut its emissions by 30% next year in Copenhagen... 

The EU creates, on the other hand, an important incentive for other countries in order to set targets to mitigate greenhouse gases as well. Europe shows its willingness to act, which might spur other parties during UNFCCC COP 14 to follow the example. I haven't heard any such development yet but there's still a couple of hours to go.

The division of burden sharing between 'poor' and 'rich' seems to be a feature of all climate negotiations. Here in Poznan is still disagreement on the adaptation fund, a fund of developed states in order to encourage greenhouse gas reductions in developing countries by means of technology transfer. My feeling that this climate conference is just about money, grows every day.  Furthermore, there is disagreement on carbon capture and storage as part of the clean development mechanism.

Simultaneously, Al Gore, who has just stuffed the largest hall of the conference with interested people, reiterated the need to avoid delay and to take action.

After a steady overview of the (now obvious) consequences of climate change for planet Earth and humanity, mr. Gore elaborated on his perceptions on the threats and opportunities the international society faces. After expressing his concern and receiving several standing ovations, he showed great hope in the current and future efforts of countries to be greener and climate friendlier. The big man referred to his future president Obama and ended his rather optimistic speech with the famous words: ‘yes we can'.

Hope so. I don't want to wait until next year in Copenhagen.

Because the pace in which current negotiations develop, reminds me of the song Gottagetaway of Apes in the Orange Grove. 

I want, as much as the other international youth, the parties to this conference to act now. Because ‘No, we can't' would seem to be more topical for me, whilst listening to the boring speeches in the plenary hall and filling my lungs with car fumes and gases from burnt coal.