Commission wants UN to target global goal of cutting carbon emissions 60% below 2010 levels by 2050
Pic: Yukiko Matsuoka/Flickr
By Ed King
A copy of the European Commission’s proposed contribution to a 2015 UN climate change deal has been leaked on Twitter.
It confirms the bloc will aim for domestic greenhouse gas reductions of 40% on 1990 levels by 2030, with a global goal of 60% below 2010 levels by 2050.
Brussels wants reviews of climate targets every five years, and calls for the UN’s aviation and shipping bodies to develop regulations to cut emissions in those sectors by 2016.
It says all countries wishing to join a “Paris protocol” must commit to internationally legally binding mitigation goals.
The bloc also wants all G20 nations – including India and Saudi Arabia – to commit to economy-wide carbon cuts by 2025 at the latest.
The EU lays out its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) for its 28 member states in a table, setting a model for other countries to follow when they release their own later this year.
Below is a summary of all the key points – you can find the leaked document here. A final version of this strategy document is expected to be presented on Wednesday.
– EU to target carbon cuts of “at least” 40% on 1990 levels by 2030. Will consider increasing goal through offsets after 2015 UN climate summit in Paris
– Least Developed Countries should offer emission reduction “estimates” and adaptation plans
– G20 countries should release INDCs by first quarter of 2015; all G20 nations should accept “absolute” economy-wide emission targets and budgets by 2025
– Other emerging economies and middle income countries “are encouraged to take similar steps” not later than 2030
– Shipping (IMO), Aviation (ICAO) and Montreal Protocol bodies should act to effectively regulate emissions from international aviation, shipping and the production and consumption of fluorinated gases by 2016
– Review of climate targets should occur every 5 years, starting in 2020. “Review should invite parties to explain progress on their mitigation commitments and why they think their action is fair and ambitious.
– No finance for post 2020 will be pledged this year as it is too early to elaborate on the scale and type of funds needed (before adaptation plans are known)
– EU to ramp up climate diplomacy through G7/8, G20 and UN General Assembly. Will link climate change to “potential long-term consequences, including security challenges”
– Climate change should be reflected in the EU’s trade agreements (such as TTIP) “with respect to the liberalisation of environmental goods and services before the end of 2015”
– EU to hold a “dedicated international conference” to enhance understanding on INDCs in November 2015 – bringing together partner countries, academia, think-tanks and other int organisations
– Commission should mainstream climate change into its economic and development cooperation