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.