| Author (Corporate) | European Commission |
|---|---|
| Series Title | COM |
| Series Details | (2013) 167 final (26.3.13) |
| Publication Date | 26/03/2013 |
| Content Type | Policy-making, Report |
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The first decade of the 21st century was the warmest on record and the summer of 2012 witnessed the unprecedented melting of Arctic sea ice. Extreme weather events witnessed during 2012, such as the extreme drought and wildfires in Southern Europe and the US, followed by unprecedented storms and flooding in parts of Asia, the Caribbean and North America, although not individually attributable to climate change, are consistent with science projecting that their frequency and impact will increase as our climate changes further. Even as the global economic growth slowed, human-induced emissions of the greenhouse gases (GHGs) that cause global warming continue to rise dramatically. Although the science of climate change is clear and the impacts are increasingly visible, actions to address climate change continue to fall far short of what is needed. The most recent UNEP "gap report" shows that countries' unconditional pledges to reduce GHG emissions, if fully implemented, will deliver no more than one third of what is needed by 2020 to prevent a dangerous 2ºC rise in global mean temperature above pre-industrial levels. A recent World Bank report predicts that even if these pledges are fulfilled there is a 20% likelihood that the globe will be on track for more than a 4ºC temperature rise by 2100. This would be a more than fivefold increase compared to the rise in global temperature the world is experiencing today, with extremely severe risks for vital human support systems. Only by acting collectively, and with greater urgency and ambition, can we avoid the worst consequences of a rapidly warming planet. Recent research and analysis reveals that this is still within our reach, and that the pathway there promises many other benefits. Countries that have begun to pursue low carbon development strategies are demonstrating that significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be achieved at affordable cost, and can generate benefits as diverse as new jobs, national energy security, improved urban transportation, lower energy bills (through energy savings and increased efficiency) and improved air quality. Despite a wide spread acknowledgement that reducing the use of fossil fuels is in their national interests, many countries however continue to fear negative economic repercussions or lack the tools and means to enable further action, especially in the current economic context. The result is that global ambition remains insufficient. In 2011 the international community launched negotiations on a new international agreement to act collectively to protect the earth's climate system. This agreement, which is to be completed by the end of 2015 and to apply from 2020 onwards, is currently being negotiated through a process known as the "Durban Platform for Enhanced Action" (ADP). Negotiations under the ADP follow two work streams: the first will adopt a new international agreement by 2015, the second aims at increasing ambition before 2020, when the 2015 Agreement will enter into force. While this Consultative Communication focuses on the first work stream, designing the 2015 Agreement, the actions we take between now and 2020 will be crucial to setting policies on the right path. This Consultative Communication invites a debate with Member States, EU institutions and stakeholders on how best to shape the international climate regime between 2020 and 2030. It sets out a context and poses a set of questions to frame this debate. Further background is given in a separate staff working document. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2013:167:FIN |
| Related Links |
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| Subject Categories | Environment |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
