Speech by EU Commissioner Dimas - Opening statement at UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

Summary: Speech by EU Commissioner Dimas - Opening statement at UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (7 December 2005: Montréal)

Speech by Stavros Dimas, Member of the European Commission, Responsible for Environment, at the Eleventh Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Montréal

Climate Change: Opening Statement at the high level segment of the Eleventh Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Mr President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to thank the Canadian Government for hosting this landmark meeting of the Parties to the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol. The Canadian efforts to prepare for this meeting have been remarkable. I look forward to working with Minister Dion to achieve an outcome that will define a new stage of international co-operation on climate change.

The European Union remains committed to the multilateral co-operation on climate change and to the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. This has translated into concrete policies and actions. The European Climate Change Programme introduced a host of cost-effective policies. Our EU emission trading scheme that started on the 1st of January this year is one of our flagship policies. It is already showing results. So far, some 230 million tonnes of CO2 have been traded, worth 3 to 4 billion Euros.

EU climate policy is delivering on our Kyoto target. Projections show that, with current and planned policies and the use of the Kyoto Protocol's flexible mechanisms, EU-25 emissions will, in 2010, stand at 11.3% below 1990 levels. For the 15 EU Member States, emissions will have fallen by 9.3%.

Since the start of the Montreal meeting we have already made important progress. The adoption of the Marrakech Accords last week Wednesday was the result of hard work. We now have the tools to implement the Kyoto Protocol. I'm also pleased that we are making progress on improving the current regime, in particular in relation to the Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation.

The Kyoto Protocol, while important, is only a first step. It is imperative that we start looking at the next steps in our battle against climate change - post 2012.

The EU is determined to contribute to making the Montreal meeting a meaningful step towards the next multilateral regime to tackle climate change.

International co-operation can take place in different fora and partnerships. But it is in the UN context that we must bring these initiatives together, providing guidance, scaling them up, and organising the global support that is necessary for the success of our joint efforts.

We should all make a contribution, depending on our respective economic capacities.

Developed countries must continue to take on serious commitments in the future and the EU will do its part.

However, there must also be a role for developing countries, in line with the principle of common and differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. All climate change measures in developing countries should aim at sustainable development. They should explore win-win solutions contributing, for example, to reducing local air pollution and strengthening the security of their energy supply.

There is a Greek proverb: "The beginning is half of every action". We have a little over two days to translate our determination to win the battle against climate change into an agreement to start developing a framework. Let's agree on that crucial first half.

See also:
Speech by EU Commissioner Dimas on Renewables - a Ready to Go Technology to Reduce Greenhouse gas Emissions

Ref: SP05-318EN
EU source: European Commission
UN forum:
Date: 7/12/2005

| Top |

< Back to previous page