EU takes hardline stance at UN climate talks

12.1.2011

Europe is taking the toughest negotiating stand it has ever adopted on global warming. At this week’s UN climate talks in Durban, the bloc will depart from decades of “dovish” practice by insisting stiff conditions must be met by China and other developing countries if a global climate treaty is to be arranged. The hardline stance has already caused consternation among developing countries at the talks, and the discord threatens the future of the Kyoto protocol. But the bloc is determined not to back down, as officials are angry that the EU’s goodwill on climate change has been taken for granted.

“It’s very important that other major economies join the effort. It would not make sense for only the EU to take on a second commitment under the Kyoto protocol,” said Joanna Mackowiak-Pandera, Poland’s under-secretary of state for the environment. Poland is in a key position at this year’s talks; as holder of the revolving EU presidency, its ministers lead the bloc’s delegation. They have led the sea-change in Europe’s public attitude, which marks the biggest shift in stance in nearly 20 years of climate talks.