Gloom in a cold climate: bring on the cavalry

By Linda McAvan MEP

The mood here in Copenhagen on this freezing Thursday is rather grim. The rumour mill is working over time, with stories of Chinese walkouts and the Danes throwing in the towel (not true) stoking the gloom. When we met the conference chair, Danish Environment Minister Connie Hedegaard, this morning, MEPs had one key question. What can the EU do to break the deadlock?

Firming up the EU offer to commit to a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions if other developed countries make comparable offers would be a good start. The EU has shown leadership on climate change in recent years. It was the first to sign up to a firm target (20% cut), backed up by solid legislation a year ago. It has met its Kyoto target. But the economic downturn means that 20% target now looks less ambitious. 30% would confirm the EU as a serious player.

This afternoon, all eyes are on the cavalry – the 116 heads of state and government whose task is not now as originally hoped just to dot the “Is” and cross the “Ts”, but to strike out the brackets and fill in the numbers. A breakthrough is still possible – but the clock is ticking.

Linda McAvan is Labour’s spokesperson on climate change in the European Parliament.