Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2007
609 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there are plans to push for an international agreement to keep the rise in global temperature to two degrees celsius or less and to support developing countries to adapt to the unavoidable effects of climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25263/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt this year's Spring meeting of the European Council, EU Heads of State and Government agreed to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% on 1990 levels by 2020. They also committed to a reduction of 30% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to 1990 as the EU contribution to a global and comprehensive agreement for the period beyond 2012, provided that other developed countries commit themselves to comparable emission reductions, and economically more advanced developing countries adequately contribute to the global response according to their responsibilities and respective capabilities.
At the forthcoming meetings of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and to the Kyoto Protocol, which take place in Bali in December, the EU will emphasise the urgency of making progress towards a comprehensive international agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol. The fundamental EU position is that this new post-Kyoto agreement should be based on commitments to bring global greenhouse gas emissions down to a level that is consistent with limiting the increase in global average temperature to not more than 2° C above pre-industrial levels.
