euro|topics - Climate debate postponed

Main focus of Friday, October 17, 2008

Climate debate postponed

The EU has postponed its climate debate until December, but despite the financial crisis is continuing to adhere to its emissions reduction targets. This has annoyed Poland and Italy in particular, which have repeatedly warned that climate protection must not overburden industry. The European press is at odds about what the EU summit has actually achieved for the climate and how the EU should now proceed.

Berlingske Tidende - Denmark

The Copenhagen daily Berlingske Tidende is relieved that the EU did not abandon its climate goals at its summit in Brussels on account of the financial crisis: "It is good news that France, Germany and Britain at the last moment decided to join Denmark in adhering to the ambitious goals. If the EU had abandoned the goals because of the financial crisis, the EU states would have made it clear that they think in the short term rather than the long term. In the case of the poor EU members in the east that might be understandable. But Italy's resistance is not, for Italy's problems are no different to those of the other wealthy countries." (17/10/2008)

The Independent - United Kingdom

The liberal daily The Independent criticises the demands of some EU states to ease the climate protection goals: "The European Union's credibility as a serious economic force has been restored this week by its co-ordinated manoeuvres to rescue the continent's banking sector. The task at hand now for the EU is to maintain its credibility as a serious player in the global struggle to mitigate dangerous climate change. ...The strongest argument for proceeding [with climate protection goals] is that it is in Europe's direct long-term economic interests to mitigate climate change. As the path-breaking report by [economic advisor] Sir Nicholas Stern two years ago made perfectly clear, the costs of acting are vastly outweighed by the costs of not acting. The financial turmoil and the fast-approaching recession do nothing to change that fundamental calculation. ... This crisis must not prompt a retreat from the battle against climate change." (17/10/2008)

De Volkskrant - Netherlands

While the EU is acting jointly to tackle the credit crunch it is getting nowhere as regards climate protection, the Dutch daily De Volkskrant writes: "The economic crisis that has followed hot on the heels of the financial one has made the EU member states jittery. East European countries like Poland, but also Italy and Germany have no interest in placing an additional burden on their stagnating industries with more stringent regulations for carbon emissions. After all, such measures cost money and this makes it more difficult for them to compete with non-European countries. And they also cost jobs. ... In recent years Europe has cranked up the pressure on the US and China to set the same climate targets as it has. The hesitant stance of certain member states undermines the EU's urgent appeals to its neighbours. ... The step forward the EU is making in the area of finances is thus slowed down by a limping leg." (17/10/2008)

La Repubblica - Italy

The liberal-left daily La Repubblica believes the EU must not hesitate when it comes to climate protection. "In a year's time the world climate summit will be taking place in Copenhagen at which the Kyoto guidlines will be laid down. Having persuaded the rest of the world in Kyoto to reduce emissions despite the opposition of America, Europe must not forfeit its leading role. It must bring a letter of accreditation to Copenhagen which allows it to force the industrial giants the United States, China and India to engage in climate protection... With their obsolete industrial systems Italy, Poland and the states of the former Eastern Bloc have formed a block to try to prevent an agreement in December. ... Yesterday's summit showed that on energy and climate protection issues Europe is divided into progressive and retrograde states - a division that applies not only to their economies but to their political visions as well. Without any hesitation and with incomprehensible pride Italy has joined the second group." (17/10/2008)

» To the complete press review of Friday, October 17, 2008

Bookmark this page at