Debate article
The Environment Council, Luxemburg 25 June 2009
Andreas Carlgren, Minister for the Environment

Speech by the Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren: Road to Copenhagen

An EU Presidency is always one link in a chain of Presidencies. Sweden will now become the new link. Several presidencies have taken important steps before us:

Under the German presidency EU targets were adopted which were crucial for our leadership on climate.
Under the Portuguese presidency climate negotiations with all parties started at the successful meeting in Bali.
Under the Slovenian presidency the Climate and Energy package was launched.
Under the French presidency the Climate and Energy package was concluded successfully.
Under the Czech presidency a broad mandate for the EU position was formulated.

The Swedish Presidency will lead Europe on the final part of the road to Copenhagen. And the more successful we are in Copenhagen, the greater the tasks will be for Spain, Belgium and beyond.

1. We need an ambitious agreement in Copenhagen. One that includes all nations and enables us to stay below 2 degrees of global warming and that unleashes the forces for sustainable development.

We know what science has taught us: global greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2020 at the latest. They must be reduced by at least 50 % as compared with 1990 levels by 2050. Developed countries must take the lead and collectively reduce their emissions by 25 to 40 % by 2020 and by 80 to 95% by 2050. Among the developing countries, the emerging economies must ensure a deviation of 15-30% from their business as usual emissions by 2020.

2. The EU objective is the most ambitious of all developed countries presented so far: a 30% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to 1990. This within the framework of an ambitious and comprehensive global agreement. And provided that other developed countries commit themselves to comparable emission reductions and that developing countries contribute adequately according to their responsibilities and respective capabilities.

3. The Swedish EU Presidency wants the climate agreement in Copenhagen to be ambitious, and that the EU should reduce its emissions by 30%.

But the 30% reduction is not unconditional.

We demand of others that they deliver sufficient actions and commitments, at a level comparable to that of the EU, to save the climate.

Our decision to scale up the EU contribution is also our most important tool, a lever, to make the rest of the world prepared to do their part, in response to science. We cannot let go of this lever, and move from 20 to 30%, until we get sufficient commitments and measures from the rest of the world.

- We will continue to demand of other developed countries that they make comparable efforts. So far, in total, they seem to fall short of what is required from developed countries as a group.

- We will continue to demand of economically more advanced developing countries that they do their part in meeting the global challenge. Without a major effort on their part, the global response will be insufficient.

4. Clearly, in the months to come, we need to increase our pressure and intensify our dialogue with the main actors, in order to press for action that will help us achieve an ambitious and comprehensive global agreement in Copenhagen.

We will, in cooperation with other actors and processes, by full transparency, increase the energy in these negotiations including the G8, G20 and the Major Economies Forum. In all third party summits during the Swedish Presidency climate change negotiations will be a main topic - with the USA, Russia, China, India, South Africa, Brazil and the Ukraine.

5. On financing our message is that we are prepared to take our "fair share". However, we must also ensure that others take their "fair share" and that both private and public flows of resources are needed.

The EU must be able to fully participate in the discussions on financial mechanism to be able to protect its own interests. We cannot let the issue of our internal burden sharing be an obstacle to act in the EU:s interest.

Let us not forget that without adaptation measures there will be no agreement in Copenhagen. The less ambitious mitigations targets, the more adaptation actions will be needed. Adaptation actions require financing- national, international, public and private.

6. Next time we, the environment ministers, meet will be at the informal minister meeting in Åre - an occasion to sum up G8/MEF meetings in July.

Council Meetings and Coreper in Brussels will be key mechanisms for our EU discussions and decisions. We will work closely with the Commission, drawing on its expertise and commitment. And we will use our global network of embassies and delegations to spread our message.

Other Councils must contribute to the process, not the least Ecofin, but it is at our meeting the 23rd of October that I foresee a clear mandate for how EU shall proceed in the negotiations. The European Summit the 29-30th October will treat all aspects of the negotiations in view of Copenhagen. We are of course prepared to call for extraordinary meetings, if necessary.

We, the Environment ministers, have the overall responsibility of the climate negotiations. We are responsible to coordinate and make sure that EU speaks with one voice. Therefore I'm turning to each and every one of you. We are all together, the European chain. The chain will never be stronger than the weakest link. EU shall continue to keep its leadership in the world by showing solidarity among us. The Swedish Presidency will only be as strong as you, the 26 Member States and European Commission allow us.