EU

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat has confirmed that 55 nations have pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions under the Copenhagen Accord.

The nations that have signed up the Accord, including major players like the US and EU, emit 78% of the world’s total emissions from energy use.

While many nations have promised rather modest cuts, Norway has pledged to cut emissions by at least 30% on 1990 levels by 2020 and is willing to increase its target to 40% if other nations fall into line. Japan has also pledged a somewhat higher target of a 25% cut.

Other industrialised nations signed up to the Accord include Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the Russian Federation.

Major developing nations China and India have also finally capitulated, along with over 20 other countries including Mexico, Brazil, Korea, Singapore, Indonesia and South Africa.

China, one of the largest emitters, has pledged to reduce its carbon intensity by 40-45% on 2005 levels by 2020, while Russia, another major contributor, has promised a 15-25% cut on 1990 levels by the same date.

“Greater ambition is required to meet the scale of the challenge,” says
Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the UNFCCC. “But I see these pledges as clear signals of willingness to move negotiations towards a successful conclusion.”

Although the end of January deadline for pledges has now passed, the UN has indicated that the deadline was a ‘soft’ one and expects more nations to commit to the Accord in the coming weeks.

For further information:
http://unfccc.int/files/press/news_room/press_releases_and_advisories/application/pdf/pr_accord_100201.pdf

Related stories:
US and EU sign up to Copenhagen Accord as deadline looms (29-Jan)
EC to call for implementation of Copenhagen Accord (15-Jan)