Reduction of carbone emissions: Solidarity mechanisms are needed
An European agreement on the question of the climate changes was reached during the last summit of member states of the European Union, a few weeks before the Summit of Lima that must define the frame all around of which a new climatic conditions must be established next year in Paris. Europe settled three objectives and three commitments calculated to 2030; reduce the CO2 emissions of at least 40 % (only forcing), carry the part of the renewable energies to 27 % and save the energy at the level of 27 %. This agreement will replace the plan known under the formula " 3 times 20 " (20 % of reduction of CO2 emissions, 20 % of the renewable in the energy mix and 20 % of gains in energy efficiency) adopted in 2009 and current until 2020.
although this point is considered as important and an exemple to follow by major powers, some observers think that these objectives are far away from Europe expectations who is a leader in the fight against global warming because it possesses necessary means and know-how to get the ambitions of reducing greenhouse gases especially in the development of renewable energies and energy serving, The ambition, as it was suggested by the Intergovernmental Group of experts on the evolution of the climate during its last report made public in Copenhagen on November 2nd, is to limit the average increase of the temperatures to 2 °C. On the other hand, the third objective concerning the energy efficiency caused a wave of criticism froms experts who juge it very low according to Europe capacity and the energy crisis that eaurope lives because of the unstable situtation of Ukraine and in the Middle East. The ernegy seving must be a priority in europe, according to experts.
Poor countries risk to suffer from richer countries actions if no other powerful countries as the United States of America will not show more ambitious commitments. A such actions of carbone reduction must be followed by solidarity mecanisms with developing countries which can be mobilized by rehabilitating the carbon market which is experiencing a rapid decline these last years. Modernization projects of electrical infrastructure and energy saving , development of renewable energies, technology and knowledge transfer and capacity enhancement are all projects to be financed by drawing from carbon fund or the green fund that has not yet emerged. South-North interconnection projects must also be financed by developed countries to avoid overcapacity in the electricity production from renewable sources in the southern countries , where is the largest renewable potential including solar, to ensure sustainability of their production and to secure the market.
Europe has already fixed the objective of 40 % of CO2 emissions reduction, it is suitable for other developed countries to do the same . However, it is clear, like the cap already set by Europe, the international negociations which must come out with a new climatic conditions pre-2020 at the Paris Conference next year, will be difficult for developing countries which are not responsible of the global warming and which haven’t necessary means to face and adapt to climate changes consequences, yet they are the most vulnerable. Binding climate regime for all countries, including developing countries, will not go without impacts on the economic growth and food security of these last ones, if it will not be accompaigned with solidarity mecanisms previously mentioned.
The international negociations must push developped countries to show solidarity with developing countries by rehabilatating the carbone market which is not a burden for developing countries if the futur climate negociations will not force them to make mitigation and accompanying rather to set up mechanisms of adaptation. In this last case, more the market carbon is important more it is beneficial for the countries of the South.
Prof. Noureddine Yassaa, Director of CDER
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