An additional problem resides in the fact that the European Union did not refer to more detailed issues that are currently subject to climate debate, such as offsetting, surplus of assigned amount units (AAUs) under Kyoto Protocol or calculating emissions from forests. These issues can make it impossible for the real reduction to take place, regardless of declared targets.
According to Climate Coalition, the EU lost its chance to show solidarity with the rest of the world. “The declared short-term financial support for developing countries in the amount of 2.4bn euro annually does not correspond to estimated needs. It is more of a cover-up than a real solution to the problem. Moreover, following the old tradition, the EU made its short and long-term financial commitments conditional on the adoption of similar declarations by other developed countries and therefore shifted the responsibility elsewhere” says Urszula Stefanowicz from Polish Ecological Club Mazovian Branch, a member of Climate Coalition.
At the same time, not for all of the countries the support given will be additional to the so-far development aid. “It means that the inhabitants of the poorest and most affected countries will have to choose between building schools, hospitals and anti-flood systems. It squanders their chance for development that they have been fighting for the last 50 years” states Aleksandra Antonowicz from Polish Green Network, a member of Climate Coalition.
The outcome of the Brussels summit of leaders is disappointing and will have a negative impact on the negotiations in Copenhagen. Climate Coalition believes that in the following week the EU will nevertheless adopt ambitious commitments during an additional meeting of European leaders, scheduled for December, 17.