Fighting for a just transition towards green jobs

Today Euro MPs Marita Ulvskog, Dan Jorgensen, Linda McAvan and Kriton Arsenis met trade unions from Europe, Africa and Latin America to discuss the ITUC's campaign for 'Just transition towards green jobs'. 

The trade unions updated MEPs on the status of the negotiations. They are fighting to get this language into the agreement on shared vision.

Discussion on biofuels with Brazilian Parliamentarians

S&D MEPs discussed the EU and Brazilian MPs today in the Espaço Brasil in the Cancun Messe at the Climate talks. They tackled the issue of bioethanol.

As consumption of bioethanol increases across on the world, Brazil has to increase yields to meet supply. Brazil is working to develop biofuel technology to use across the world. Compulsory and mandatory targets are needed, particularly in the area of mitigation. A second generation biofuel is still a long way off. So for now, Brazil is trying to meet the demand of bioethanol.

On climate change mitigation, Brazil would like to see a second commitment period to Kyoto Protocol is critically important. In terms of working with other BASIC countries (Brazil, South Africa, India and China), each country will work independently, but in a globalised world. These countries will share technology and work together. Copenhagen created awareness in Brazil on the issue of climate change. The fact that Europe is in Cancun and is sitting with countries like Brazil confirms that mobilisation of countries is needed to resolve climate change.

Careful optimism

The Delegation got briefed on the lastest developments of the negotiations by the Commission. The tone of the COP16 conference is careful optimism - the key word being balance. The Mexican presidency is doing everything they can to ensure an inclusive conference. However, discussions are fragile, and that today is critical. A new text on both tracks have been published, and the day has been spent analysing the text, and giving first feedback. 

Later today, the presidency had a meeting with different leaders to get a view on the different positions of each country. The discussion was constructive apart from Bolivia who walked out of the meeting. No other countries followed. The discussion centered on the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and whether there will be a legally binding agreement in the future or not. 

Countries are listening and beginning to state their positions. The key countries to watch in the next 24 hours are China, Japan, US, Russia and South Africa . But it is still early days...

Photo credit: European Parliament

We meet Mexican members of Parliament

The meeting with Mexican "congresistas" was a very warm and friendly. The discussion focussed on the role of parliamentarians in pushing climate mitiagation and adaptation policy.  In addition, everyone agreed that it is clear that the role of the host parliamentarian is key to help the negotiation process.

Though the outcome is uncertain, negotiations are finally progressing. By Kriton Arsenis

The replacement of Dutch Yvo De Boer with Cost Rican Christiana Figueres as the new UNFCC Executive Secretary and Denmark with Mexico as the country hosting the conference, makes a difference in the climate change negotiations. The sense of trust which had collapsed in Copenhagen has to a significant degree been re-established in Cancun. From the first week, issues which have been in deadlock for years have started being solved. The negotiations are being freed from the details and are focusing on the most important issues at hand.

The negotiating texts that the Mexican Presidency has submitted form a commonly accepted basis for discussion. The Mexicans have avoided the mistakes of the Danish Presidency, which regarded the outcome of Copenhagen as a decision to be taken by the most powerful States of the planet and negotiated behind closed doors. Mexico is implementing an open system of negotiations, which is transparent and all inclusive. This is therefore the most positive outcome from Copenhagen; that the developed countries realized that even the poorest country on Earth needs to be heard if the sought after agreement is to be achieved.

This also entails a cost. The lowest common denominator and solutions on which all countries can agree on are not sufficient to combat Climate Change. Achievements from previous stages of the negotiations regarding the rights of indigenous peoples, the protection of biodiversity and many other issues of environmental importance within the proposed solutions for tackling Climate Change are being lost. The texts of the agreement contain an ever growing number of flexible terms of commitments which focus on the creation of financial products and are inadequate for the tackling of Climate Change.

However, this could be less important then not achieving an agreement. Maybe many of us did indeed envision a complete change of our world through this agreement and have asked for things that are hard to digest by all the countries of our planet. The important thing is that all countries realize that we need to act together in order to combat this man-made threat. If we manage to reach an agreement, reality will force us to gradually correct any inadequacies this agreement may entail.

In Cancun, we hope that the final agreement will start maturing. Few decisions are likely to be taken here. However, the negotiating texts have started becoming more and more widely accepted.

Kriton Arsenis, MEP

Briefing with the European Commission

The chief negotiator, Arthur Runge-Metzger (director of Climate Policy Division of the European Commission) gave the EP Delegation an update on negotiations to date.

Progress in the negotiations made mainly in the different technical aspects of the Kyoto Protocol. These include issues like the base year for emission reduction will be 1990; there has been progress on LUCLUF, on technical aspects of the CDMs and possible progress on the length of the second commitment period (5 or 8 years) .

However, nothing will be agreed until the LCA track makes progress in terms of emission reduction pledges until a decision can be made on the future of Kyoto protocol (despite Japan’s reluctance for a second period). Japan wants US and China in the deal not out of the deal: this is what Japanese explained to our MEPs in a later meeting between the EP Delegation and the Japanese Diet. So for now, a plan of next year’s actions will need to be discussed. A small group of negotiators will meet on Wednesday to hammer out the negotiations.

Learning about REDD+: A morning in the Yucatan rainforest.

Our MEPs spent time in the Yucatan rain forest with local Mayan Community leaders. The reason for this visit: to understand how a REDD+ project works in practice. The key for success is for local communities to manage forests sustainably.

Members discussed the rights of local and indigenous populations, the need to protect the forest, but also to look after it, remove old wood (to prevent forest fires) and plant new trees. The challenge is to ensure that there is government support for these projects and that community based REDD+ project also allow a commercial sustainable forest management – in order to allow local populations to have a small income.

Kriton Arsenis speaks with Much' Kanan K'aax local community leader 

Euro MPs learned about how the local Mayan population live within the ecosystem in which they live in, and about the unique Mayan stingless bee – a source of income as well as crucial part of the local bio-system

Time to find balance in the negotiation process



Dan Jorgensen and Christiana Figueres. Photo credit: Susana González/EP

Despite travel difficulties getting to Cancun, everyone has now arrived in Cancun safely. Jo Leinen, opened the meeting of the Delegation today by reminding everyone that the resolution adopted on 25 November 2010 formed the basis of the EP’s position at COP16. The rest of the day has been spent updating MEPs on the state of negotations.

Jo Leinen provided feedback from the meeting with Christina Figueras of the UNFCCC that took place on Monday 6 December. The key message from Mrs Figueras was the need for negotiating Parties to find ‘balance’ between the two tracks of the negotiation.  Three areas are close to finding agreement:  the Green Fund, a deal on technology transfer and possibly REDD+ . However, everything is blocked until the US and China show signs of shifting their position.  Bolivia is still about the rights of indigenous populations within REDD+.  The issue of 'fair transition' which is being advocated by the trade unions have not appeared in the long term share vision text. Canada, Japan and Russia have indicated that they do not want a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.

In order to help the complex negotiations in the next few days, the Mexican presidency is pushing for total transparency and inclusiveness in the negotiation in COP16. Using the Japanese example in Nagoya, the Mexican Presidency has asked the following working groups to be facilitated by Ministers from different countries:  Sweden and Granada on long term vision, Spain and Algeria on adaptation;  New Zealand and Indonesia on mitigation and measurement, reporting and verification (MRV); Australia and Bangladesh on capacity building, finance and technology transfer, UK and Brazil on Kyoto Protocol.

Photo credit: Susana González/EP



We arrive in Cancun

After a long trip, we arrived in Cancun late last night. We flew over northern Europe and  America which was white and wintery. Mexico, in comparison, -and its weather - is  warm and welcoming.  This  morning,  we went to get accreditated: no queues and no hassle.

Some went to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting, others went to check out the Cancun Messe and the Moon Palace . The ghost of Copenhagen past has finally been burried.  Will the upcoming negotiations go as smoothly as the welcome?

The delegation met with Christiana Figueres of the UNFCCC this evening.  Jo Leinen is meeting with the Presidency and the Commission. The rest of the delegation are recovering from the trip and preparing for the next few days of climate meetings.

It's time for action!!

"Prospects for a climate deal: There is still hope", by Kriton Arsenis

The new International Climate Change Conference started on Monday in Cancun, Mexico. However, after the failure in Copenhagen expectations are low.

The result will depend heavily on the stance of the two biggest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters, China and USA. The rejection of the Cap and Trade Bill in the US Congress, the recent election results and the loss of the Democratic Party's majority in the Senate, draw however a gloomy picture on USA's political willingness and ability to ratify an international agreement to reduce GHG emissions.

China, on the other hand, has a stagnant stance in international negotiations but takes mitigation measures unilaterally. Although China refused at Copenhagen last year to allow international agreement on the setting of CO2 reduction targets, it invests heavily on clean energy, and announces the approval of a national Climate Change law, introducing a number of mandatory requirements, regardless of the international efforts.

The only hope now is that the successful results in the COP 10 Biodiversity Conference in Nagoya will create a new dynamic in the negotiations under the UNFCCC.

The Conference aims at "revealing" the details and the structure of the 30 billion dollar fund pledged under the Copenhagen Accord, whose aim is to provide less developed countries with finance for mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Furthermore, a revised mitigation and adaptation mechanism known as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (REDD+) will be negotiated. This is an effort to strengthen the role of biodiversity conservation in mitigating climate change and to create financial value for the carbon stored in forests, offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development.

The failure to conclude an agreement in either of these two issues would signal the possible collapse of the negotiations on a climate deal, leaving the final hope of mankind on unilateral measures taken by each country separately.

Whatever the expectations for Cancun may be, the Mexican Presidency will have the chance to turn the meeting into a success. The case of Japan that led the world to two very important agreements i.e. the Kyoto Protocol on climate change and last month's agreement on biodiversity in Nagoya sets a precedent that all countries hosting international environmental negotiations should study carefully. It shows that when a host country is proactive in proposing compromises which take everyone's views on board, and manages the negotiations in a determined and effective manner, miracles can happen.

Kriton Arsenis, MEP

S&D are ready to work with the Commission for the success in Cancun

The European Parliament supports the progressive initiative to push for a 30 per cent reduction of CO2 emissions instead of just 20 per cent before 2020.

S&D made it clear during the plenary debate on the Cancun Climate talks: we should not wait for US or China to implement the right environmental policy. It will be good both for the environment and for job creation.

The European commissioner for Climate Connie Hedegaard told MEPs that she will be informing them "at every stage in the process of the negotiation in Cancun."

The committed herself to daily brief the delegation. "We'll be closely working together," she promised.

S&D want to see the EU speaking with one voice and trying to get as many actors on board as possible to push a more ambitious agenda.

Vicepresident Marita Ulvskog calls for optimism and hard work: "Let's not have low expectations for Cancun! We need to act together with others in many important decisions that will be decided in Cancun with regards to forestry issues, the Kyoto commitments... If we act together we could pave the way for a 2011 international climate agreement," she said.

"The Parliament will be the EU watchdog in Cancun", says Leinen in Facebook live chat

For half an hour this morning Jo Leinen answered the questions sent to him by Facebook and Twitter. You can read all questions and answers here, or check Jo Leinen's web.

Here are some excerpts:

European Parliament Mr Leinen, how high is the risk that the climate conference in Cancun fails like the one in Copenhagen last year? Which role could the European Parliament delegation play there?

Jo Leinen I hope for a better outcome with a whole set of concrete decisions.The Parliament will be the watchdog that the EU fullfills its promises.

Alex Lemarin Mr Leinen, I guess the European Parliament will only have an observer status in Cancun. Will it have any real weight in the negotiations? Because I have the feeling it's only about national governments in these UN conferences…

Jo Leinen ‎The Parliaments are the citizens' chambers that have to control their executives. We are meeting with a lot of Parliaments around the world to pressure our governments for successful outcome of Cancun negotiations.

Marko Vuković Don't you think that going for 30 percent reduction in emissions could hurt European industry even as competitors with lower environmental standards gain market share?

Jo Leinen : We have potential in increasing the renewable energies and the efficiency standards in our buildings and our transport systems. These are sectors not directly related to global competition but boosting our EU economy.

Mark Meyerberg Herr Leinen, after the elections in the US the situation seems to be worse than ever. Is there any hope that there will be an international agreement even on paper before Kyoto expires??

Jo Leinen : We are very concerned about the situation in the US. Nevertheless the Obama administration wants to regulate climate gases and fulfill its promise of 17% Co2 reductions. On forest protection and technology transfer we can have solutions with the US.

Chiara Donadoni Dear Mr Leinen, Do you think the circumstances are much different now compared to Copenhagen, in order to avoid a similar disappointment?

Jo Leinen: The Mexicans promised an inclusive negotiations procedure to have all interest groups around the table. This is an hopeful starting point for decisions on concrete items. Everyone knows that the clock is ticking.

Giorgos Ch'Ioannidis Climate change is strongly related with economic issues. Is there any economic policy suggested that enhances the efficiency of negotiations that drive to future solutions?

Jo Leinen : A low carbon economy means a certain industrial revolution with a lot of possibilities for investment and jobs. This might be a way out of the current economic crisis in Europe.

Ana Maria Millan Good morning Mr Leinen. I would like to ask about the emissions from the water industry, associated with the need to treat wastewater to comply with the stringent environmental EU Directives. How can you balance the overall need to reduce carbon emissions against the need to meet environmental requirements? And also, who pays?

Jo Leinen : We have the polluter pays principle in the EU but need to look also at social justice. Cleaning up our rivers and our drinking water is a must even beyond the fight against climate change.

Max Mueller Climate change concerns all of us. Why is this topic not all over the media. The EU should also communicate more on this issue...This interview should ve been done when ppl actually have time to participate...

Jo Leinen : You are right, there should be more public debate and information about climate change. I participate in many meetings from school classes to any other event.

Live Chat with Jo Leinen: Tomorrow on Facebook

Ahead of the vote on a resolution on Cancun, the chairman of the Environment committee in the European Parliament will chat with all of those interested in knowing more about the upcoming negotiations on climate change.

Don't miss it! He will be answering all your questions on Tuesday 23rd November from 10:30 to 11:00.

You can follow it on http://facebook.com/europeanparliament

You can also send your question via Twitter, using the hashtag #MEPChat

Leinen calls for an alliance of countries committed to reducing greenhouse emissions

Jo Leinen, who will be leading the 15-MEP delegations to the negotiations in Cancún, today said that signals from Washington are "not optimistic". There is a risk that talks could stall again over differences between the US and China.

"We need to build a critical mass of countries committed to reducing greenhouse emissions. Clearly, the size of this coalition of countries willing to fight for climate justice will have to be bigger than existed in Copenhagen."

The European Parliament will call for fast-track financing to fight global warming and will encourage the European Commission and Council to show clear willingness to seek a comprehensive reduction of CO2 emissions.

A resolution will be voted in Strasbourg next week.

Leinen also announced the S&D Group would like to see the Commission say that it will go to a 30 per cent reduction by 2020, beyond the 20 per cent reduction of CO2 emissions already agreed.

"Unless we have this higher figure it is generally agreed that we will miss the target of reducing global warming by two degree centigrade. This would be good for our planet and good for our economies," Jo Leinen said.

Countdown to Cancun Summit

Everything is ready for the UN Climate Change Conference in Cancun from November 29 to December 10, 2010. Governments across the world need to put the negotiations back on track, following the disappointing outcome in Copenhagen. A global deal to fight climate change is more necessary than ever and the financial crisis cannot be an excuse to do nothing.

Socialists and Democrats are ready to go to Cancun and work both with government representatives and civil society to broker an agreement on our main three goals: reducing emissions, creating more green jobs and funding developing countries adjust to climate change. It is a matter of long-term responsibility and of global justice.

These are the same principles that we have maintained since since the climate change conference in Bali in 2007.

Two weeks ahead of the COP-16 meeting in Mexico, we are re-launching this blog to keep you informed on developments.

S&D MEPs are calling for an inclusive conference, as promised by the Mexican ambassador when she spoke to MEPs this week. Marita Ulvskog, the S&D vice president, and the four other MEPs are ready to work with civil society and NGOs to push forward our progressive agenda.

These are the S&D MEPs going to Cancun:

Marita Ulvskog
Jo Leinen
Linda McAvan
Dan Jørgensen
Kriton Arsenis

Dear bloggers,
We continue to inform you on the "Melting iceberg" blog on S&D activities on climate change.
Here some comments on the hearing of Connie Hedegard,Commissioner-designate for Climate Action.

Hedegaard passed her exam but lacked visions, commented MEPs.
Marita ULvskog, Vice-president of the S&D, who chaired the Group's delegation in Copenhagen:
"I'm very sorry that she tells the Story of Copenhagen as a story of succes.It simply was not.She would have been much better off,had she only been honest.It would have created much more confidence in her,if she had pointed out what the Swedish EU Presidency and the Danish COP-presidency could have done better in Copenhagen.
Despite the criticism,S&D does expect a fruitful future cooperation with Connie Hedegaard.
I believe we will establish a good cooperation with her. Our Group will offer Hedegard the support she will not find in her narrow portfolio and among her own very conservative colleagues".

MEP Dan Jorgensen agrred this opinien: "We expect that Hedegard will present more ambitious concrete visions for EU's climate change policies.If she does so,she will gain the support from S&D.And she will need the support from our Group, because she will meet fierce opposition in her own political group.The questions in the EP hearing clearly proved that point.

Linda Mc Avan,coordinator of the Environmental committee added:
"I welcom Hedegaard's commitment to include maritime emissions in the Emmission Trading Scheme by 2011,if the IMO does not act first.I also welcome her commitment to prioritise transport and climate change,which represents 25% of all CO2 emissions".

Finally, German S&D MEP Jo Leinen,who chaired the EP delegation in Copenhagen, welcomed the vision of Climate Action Commissioner designate Connie Hedegaard,that the EU should be the moste climate-friendly region in the world.
"Climate Protection Policy can be a win-win topic on reducing the impact on ecosystems,reducing the dependence on fossil fuel imports and therefore improving energy security and by developind new resources,new energies and new jobs.
"C.Hedegaard has the competence and the commitment to be Climate Action Commmissioner.But her job will be difficult in conflict with other resorts.She will need the strong support of Commission President Barroso".