On Wednesday, the tone was raised at the United Nations Climate Change Conference. In a speech, Sweden’s Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren, representing the EU, called for greater emissions reductions from the world’s emerging economies than those to which they have so far committed. Mr Carlgren also stressed that the USA and China now hold the key to successful final negotiations.

“The EU recognizes the action already taken by some developing countries. But the world needs more. We will never succeed without important contributions from the emerging economies. They must reduce emissions significantly compared to ‘business as usual’”, said Mr Carlgren in his speech.

Over recent days, the debate at the UN Climate Change Conference has focused to a great extent on the procedures for the meeting itself. Now the environment ministers have taken over the baton in the negotiations from the senior officials and soon it will be the turn of the 119 heads of state and government. The EU hopes that broad political unity can now be reached on the actual substance.

“The breakthrough must happen here and now. Now is the time to give and take”, said Andreas Carlgren. 

USA and China crucial

Mr Carlgren also addressed the USA and China directly, emphasising that their capacity to reduce their emissions would be crucial to getting an agreement in place.

“Unleash your full potential and thereby the world’s efforts. Make it possible for the world to keep the rise in temperature to below two degrees”, said Mr Carlgren.

During the plenary meeting, Sudan’s Vice-President Nafie Ali Nafie also spoke on behalf of the G77 and China. Mr Nafie stressed that they want to see the Kyoto Protocol renewed for a further period – a position against which the EU has protested previously, because in their view it would not lead to sufficiently large reductions in emissions.

“We will oppose any agreement which in any way results in the Kyoto Protocol being superseded or made redundant”, said Mr Nafie in his speech.

Meeting with the AU

Venezualan President Hugo Chávez and Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi also spoke after lunch on Wednesday. During the day, a number of heads of state and government arrived, including Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt. Mr Reinfeldt, representing the Swedish EU Presidency, and José Manuel Barroso, President of the Commission, will meet representatives for the African Union later in the afternoon. Read more via the links on the right.