by Leigh Phillips
UOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - European Union leaders are adamant that the developing world must commit to carbon reductions if the EU is to stump up cash for making the adaptation measures to deal with climate change, the Danish prime minister said on Thursday (19 March).
Denmark's prime minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, described as "quite optimistic" the state of climate discussions between EU member states currently taking place in Brussels at the bloc's spring summit. The EU premiers and presidents are attempting to hammer out a common position to take to the upcoming United Nations climate change conference at the end of the year.
However, he told reporters that it was still too early for the EU to commit to any funds for the developing world for "climate finance."
The prime minister said that the leaders will consider the issue again on Friday morning and that afterward: "We expect to send a clear signal the the EU will take on a fare share of the burden and has to assist developing countries in support of adaptation and mitigation measures.
"Then at a later state develop some concrete figures [in terms of EU funds] - but then we must have concessions from these countries."
The Danish leader made the comments days after Yvo de Boer, the UN's climate change chief, accused EU leaders of welching on promises made at last year's Bali climate conference.
Speaking to the BBC on the eve of the EU summit, Mr de Boer said: "Quite frankly the language from [EU] ministers re-writes some of the fundamental agreements we made in Bali."
"I don't think it's constructive to enter into a negotiation by trying to change the fundamental principles on which you've just agreed the negotiation will be based," he said, adding that the EU needed to put some figures on the table before applying pressure to developing countries to commit to carbon reductions.
Mr Rasmussen told journalists that the UN official was wrong: "I don't agree with de Boer. The EU really is in the driver's seat. But we now need clear moves from our other partners."
Pressed whether the EU would commit to sums to take to the Copenhagen negotiations by the summer, the Danish leader said: "It's premature to make any predictions about a timetable.
"If there's progress in international negotiations, then we'll see."
He did say nevertheless that whatever figures are eventually decided upon, it will be fresh cash rather than previously announced funds.
"The member states have already committed to new and additional funds at Bali," he insisted.
Polish resistance
Poland appears to be the most resistant of the member states to committing to a negotiating position, something conceded by Mr Rasmussen.
"It is well known that Poland has a very particular view on climate," he explained, but went on to say that he thought Warsaw would commit to firm figures at some point. "We have to be able to unite all the points of view."
Polish leader Donald Tusk however suggested during the summit that it could be quite a long time yet before the the bloc agrees to any funding commitments, insisting that the EU mandate for Copenhagen climate talks must be taken at EU leaders' level (where Poland has a veto).
"It doesn't matter to us whether its the June European Council or the first summit under the Swedish [EU] presidency," he said.
"[A successful outcome in Copenhagen] will be possible if EU member states know what is the mechanism for contributing for this fund and accept it."
He said he rejected what he called a "simplistic mechanism. You pay as much as you emit."
Source: www.unovbserver.com
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