The EU should re-establish climate leadership

Press release - February 11, 2010
Brussels, International — With European leaders meeting in Brussels today for the first time since the botched Copenhagen climate summit in December 2009, Greenpeace calls on heads of state and government to shape an ambitious and influential EU position for the next round of international climate negotiations. This would enable Europe to regain its leadership in the struggle against climate change.

Greenpeace EU climate and energy policy director Joris den Blanken said: "Only a strong mandate and an agreed strategy will allow the EU to kick-start the climate negotiations. We cannot afford to waste any more time: we need Europe to regain the initiative and show that it is still guided by science."

Greenpeace calls on EU leaders to:

  • Mandate the Commission to draft a proposal for an upgrade of the EU's unconditional offer to cut greenhouse gas emissions from 20% to 30%. This position should be a first step towards a scientifically sound reduction target of 40% for all industrialised countries under a global climate agreement. An increase of its emissions target would also be in line with the EU's ambitions on energy security, economic recovery and green jobs.
  • Build alliances with progressive developing nations to increase the pressure on countries blocking the road to a fair, ambitious and binding agreement at the UN climate summit in Cancun, Mexico, in November 2010. As a first concrete step, the EU should start the agreed fast-track funding to reduce the growth in emissions in developing countries and to adapt to the effects of climate change.

Greenpeace briefings and analysis:

'Cheating the atmosphere: why the EU could do much more for the climate'

www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/press-centre/policy-papers-briefings/cheating-the-atmosphere-16-11-09

'Greenpeace assessment of the Copenhagen Accord'

www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/press-centre/reports/greenpeace-assessment-COP15-07-01-10

Other contacts:

Joris den Blanken – Greenpeace EU climate policy director:
+32 (0)2 274 1919, +32 (0)476 961375 (mobile),
Mark Breddy – Greenpeace EU communications manager:
+32 (0)2 274 1903, +32 (0)496 156229 (mobile),

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