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1 December, 2009
In a series of fact sheets about the COP 15, the UNFCCC states that the following four issues on the table at Copenhagen are essential to reaching a deal.
1. Emission reduction targets for developed countries
Developed countries must accept the need to continue to take the lead in reducing global GHG emissions. In order to do so an agreement must be reached on an ambitious mid-term target for the group of developed countries as a whole, with each one making an effort of comparable scale in line with their historical responsibility and current capabilities.
To date most developed countries have announced their mid-term target for emission reductions for 2020. However despite the fact that key developed country forums such as the G8 have recognized a 2°C limit, pledges for mid-term woefully short of the IPCC range (25 to 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020). Negotiations could raise the current level of ambition.
What are our key demands and what would we like to see included?
• A strong legally-binding, comprehensive global agreement ensuring ambitious reduction of green house gas emissions;
• Social justice and long-term employment policies as an integral element of climate policy;
• Environmental protection through reduced emissions (a social cost) whilst increasing employment (a social benefit) and largest emitters should lead;
• Sectoral concerns addressed, including a fair global carbon trading regime - climate change legislation should ensure a level playing field and eliminate the possibility of carbon leakage; and
• Insurance that any agreement includes international competitiveness provisions that do not disadvantage those companies and nations that are first to adopt carbon pricing schemes.
2. Nationally appropriate mitigation actions of developing countries.
The biggest contribution to the global emissions increase over the next decades is projected to come from developing countries; though their per capita C02 emissions will remain substantially lower than those in developed country regions. In previous meetings developing countries have indicated a willingness to undertake nationally appropriate mitigation actions, provided that they receive support for such actions.
A major concern for developing countries is that mitigation could distract resources away from their overriding policies, which are poverty eradication and economic growth. The Copenhagen deal could build on domestic mitigation actions underway or planned in developing countries, and identify how they can be enhanced with international support.
What are our key demands and what would we like to see included?
• Sustainability which integrates environmental, social and economic concerns. For labour the social dimension is crucial and must promote trade union values of economic development, a fair distribution of wealth, social welfare, equity, peace and human rights, thereby creating a complete framework for sustainability;
• Technology transfer that allows for a fair regime for the transfer of advanced technologies for materials and processes, and use of an international fund for research and development and largest emitters should lead; and
• Developing programmes which ensure a requirement that companies and corporations use best available technologies when they move production.
3. Scaling up financial and technological support for both adaptation and mitigation
Adequate financial, technological and capacity-building support is the engine for advancing international cooperation on climate change as well as national action. An essential part of a comprehensive deal at Copenhagen is identifying how to generate new, additional and predictable financial resources and technology. Resources that are needed for both adaptation and mitigation have been estimated to up to USD250 billion per annum in 2020.
Start up funding is essential and the financial challenge is unique and stark. At the moment adaptation costs are primarily borne by the affected countries, including poor vulnerable communities which have no responsibility for emissions. Kick starting the action initiated in Copenhagen requires start up funding in the order of USD10 billion.
What are our key demands and what would we like to see included?
• Modification of WTO rules to ensure that trade rules including those governing intellectual property do not undermine environmental objectives;
• Sharing science which allows developing countries to effectively measure emissions;
• Ensuring significant public and private investment in education and training, as well as research and development innovation; and
• Worker participation in the formulation and implementation of these programmes, as well as information and consultation rights on the sustainable development of companies.
4. An effective institutional framework with governance structures that address the needs of developing countries
Copenhagen needs to deliver on an efficient mix of financial instruments with effective means for disbursement and for measurement, reporting and verification. Much of the available funding has not reached developing countries in a way that is regarded as efficient or beneficial. It is critical that the funds are agreed as part of the Copenhagen outcome. In addition, governance principles must be founded on equity, respecting the interests and needs of developing countries, and that includes them as equal decision-making partners.
What are our key demands and what would we like to see included?
• Recognition that although all countries have a responsibility to mitigate climate change, it is clear that the greatest responsibility lies with the largest industrial nations;
• Financial and environmental crisis must not be used as an excuse for cost and job cutting or delaying action on environmental protection. The so-called "free market" will not create solutions by itself; and
· Emissions-trading is insufficient in isolation from
other policies.
Jargon Busting for Copenhagen:
Green house gases
The atmospheric gases responsible for causing global warming and climate change. The major GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N20). Less prevalent, but very powerful, greenhouse gases are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
Climate change
The United Nations Convention on Climate Change defines climate change as "a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods."
Carbon Footprint
A Carbon Footprint is a measure of the amount of green house gases produced as a result of particular human activities.
Carbon Leakage
Carbon leakage refers to the part of emissions reductions that are made in one of the countries bound to reduce emissions, which are offset by an increase in emissions in a country that is not bound to reduce emissions. For example this can occur through relocation of energy-intensive production from a country that controls emissions to a country that does not.
Carbon Offsetting
The idea is to reduce the impact of carbon dioxide emissions from everyday activities such as driving cars, heating homes and flying. The emissions from such activity are calculated by a carbon offsetting provider and then paid for through a donation to a project that reduces carbon by the equivalent amount.
Jargon Busting for Copenhagen:
Emissions trading
scheme (ETS)
The ETS is a "cap and trade system". Countries are given a national allocation of how much carbon dioxide they can emit, which is then divided up among the companies covered by the scheme. If companies emit more than they are allowed they must purchase permits to make up for the excess. If they emit less, they can sell their unused allocations.
Border adjustment
Border adjustments, also known as Border Tax Adjustments or Border Tax Assessments, are import fees levied by carbon-taxing countries on goods manufactured in non-carbon-taxing countries. For example a product manufactured in a country that adopts an ETS scheme should not be cheaper in a non-ETS country as a result of the extra costs for emissions trading. A tax would be applied to level the playing field.
Green Jobs
According to the International Labour Organization green jobs reduce the environmental impact of enterprises and economic sectors, ultimately to levels that are sustainable. However many traditional jobs such as steelworkers could also be considered green as alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and wave all have major steel components.
In October 2009, the International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF), International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM), European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF) and the European Mine, Chemical and Energy Workers' Federation (EMCEF) organized a conference in Germany entitled "Cutting Emissions, Transforming Jobs". The meeting discussed the position industrial workers will take at the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change conference in Copenhagen Denmark.
Photo: Anita Gardner/IMF
United Steelworkers joined with other unions and environmental groups in a nationwide Made in America jobs tour in 2009, highlighting the benefits to American workers and businesses of transitioning to a clean energy economy that will create millions of jobs.
Photo: Steven Dietz/USW