IRISH REACTION:TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has said that Europe was fully prepared to move to a 30 per cent emissions cut by 2020 in the event of a comprehensive global deal.
On the 12th day of negotiations and within hours of the official deadline, Mr Cowen was cautious about a successful outcome on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Last night Irish negotiators were of the view that talks had reached an impasse and conceded they may spill over into the weekend. One source close to the negotiations said political leaders needed to make a judgment call on what kind of deal was necessary.
Mr Cowen referred to significant stumbling blocks that included verification issues involving China, and also a reluctance by some key players to agree to a 50 per cent emissions drop by 2050. He said the EU was willing to “step up to the plate” in terms of its responsibilities.
Mr Cowen’s comments came after a meeting of all 27 European leaders. There was much further discussion needed, he said, and he and Minister for the Environment John Gormley were keen to reach a comprehensive deal that would have legally binding force.
On the difficulties with China over verification and the 2050 targets, he said: “We don’t have that in the text at the moment, and the EU would like to see it there, as it would greatly strengthen the commitments that are being made.”
Europe was fully committed to a 30 per cent reduction, said Mr Cowen. “We’re prepared to move to 30 per cent to get a comprehensive global deal. Europe has led the debate; we’ve been specific on the financing.”
Mr Gormley expressed concern about the deal falling short of the comprehensive agreement. “Unless we have binding targets, then we’re looking at a very much watered-down deal. We have to ask ourself . . . if the public would thank us for a watered-down deal?”
Mr Gormley said mitigation of emissions, especially the 2050 target of a reduction of 50 per cent compared to 1990, was central.
Friends of the Earth (FoE) described the latest draft text at the UN climate summit as an “embarrassment”. It called on world leaders to stay in Copenhagen until they agree a “real deal with actions strong enough to deliver on their aspirations”.
Irish policy officer Molly Walsh said FoE would not let the US and Britain “bully African and small island states into accepting this failure”.