Europe look to close gigatonne gap with new non-binding carbon reduction plan

A vote by European politicians on a resolution to increase the EU’s commitment to carbon reduction ahead of the Durban COP17 later this month looks likely to be positive. The motion is backed due to its ability to create green jobs, growth and security, but will not be binding, unlike previous agreements.

The EU has already committed to binding 20 per cent reductions in carbon emissions by 2020, but this would mean greater reductions of up to 30 per cent on a non-binding basis, dependant on other nations agreeing to similar cuts. The move is designed to help close the ‘gigatonne gap’, a term used to describe the gap between emissions reduction commitments and those required to meet the two degree target for warming.

Further, there is a gap in funding for developing countries, with a shortfall in financing occurring after 2012, with the end of short-term financing. The next commitment for funding is in 2020, when $100 billion has been pledged annually to help developing countries.

The Durban conference is unlikely to come up with a conclusive deal on climate change, but a move like this from the EU is aimed at convincing other nations that the EU is taking the subject seriously, and that it will not be caving in to pressure from the financial crisis to reverse climate policies.

However, an agreement on deeper, binding cuts will not happen, as Poland blocked a motion to introduce 25 per cent, binding targets earlier in the year. Also there have been accusations that the recently announced climate funding by the EU finance ministers of €7.2 billion has simply been repackaged from development aid already earmarked for developing countries.

Some see these moves as evidence that even the EU, historically a staunch supporter of binding climate commitments, is wavering with the pressure of the debt mountain it is trying to support. This is hardly surprising, but could have a negative effect during the climate talks in Durban and further delay a commitment from other countries.