The meeting of European Ministers in Seville, which was supposed to evaluate the Copenhagen Conference, reopened the debate on reducing CO2 emissions. Although
the climate package agreement had been signed by the 27 member countries in 2008, its target of reducing CO2 emissions by 20% is no longer sufficient to respect IPCC recommendations
To move forward rapidly with the Copenhagen agreement, only reductions of between 25% and 40% by 2020, would serve to limit global warming under the 2° C bar.
Applying the Copenhagen agreement Whereas industrialised countries must present their plans to reduce CO2 emissions to the UN at the end of January, in accordance with the first deadline imposed by the Copenhagen agreement, EU countries remain divided on the 30% prospect.
The Europeans claim to be ready to increase their targets if their international partners commit to making a substantial effort.
As such, Jean-Louis Borloo, the French Minister of State for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and the Sea, responsible for Green Technologies and Climate Negotiations, reminded everyone in a solemn appeal from the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi on the 16th January that "such a prospect is possible only if the highest number of countries support the Copenhagen agreement, by positively responding to the demands made in this direction by the Secretary-General of the United Nations. In particular, respecting the deadline of 31st January 2010 for communicating each country’s commitments."
The Danish Commissioner, Connie Hedegaard, hopes to find
agreement for increasing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions up to 30% before the Mexico Conference in late 2010. Nevertheless, she intends to quickly introduce legislation with regard to greenhouse gases, which will put a price on CO2 emissions in the transport sector.
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