Day 6 Blog: EU stance and Green Economy imperative

Two media items regarding two different topics:

1)   EU’s Press Briefing (Monday 5^th)

2)   UNFCCC’s secretary pledge for a green economy (Rio +20 links)

1-    http://unfccc4.meta-fusion.com/kongresse/cop17/templ/play.php?id_kongresssession=4382&theme=unfccc

This is a very informative press briefing on the EU’s stance at COP17.

Basically they outline their push for a 2^nd commitment period, which the EU would sign up to, to act as a roadmap for a new document to be produced by 2015.

This outcome has been supported by most G77 countries, and China and Brazil have expressed interest in the document, as long as some conditions apply to it (more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/dec/05/china-eu-plans-kyoto-durban).

The EU states that it is not adequate for only the EU to sign up, as they only account for 11-18% of all global emissions. It is therefore imperative that in the transition period to the 2015 document, high emitting countries, including ones in the G77, take on legally binding commitments.

2 - http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/cop17-christina-figueres-durban?newsfeed=true

A brief article, but notes the personal attachment people in power have to the issue. As UNFCCC secretary, Figueres wishes for the ideal outcome in Durban. This brief article notes her passion for achieving that outcome, and highlights that businesses, as long with governments, need to work together and collaborate.

As businesses have their own agendas and interests, Figureres states that it is a low carbon economy that can pave the way towards a less emissions intensive future.

It is interested to see the mention of the green economy by Figures. Throughout last week, not much has been mentioned in regards to the green economy. As this is one of the key issues being discussed in Rio+20, I would have expected to see more references to it throughout COP17.