(NOTE: Space is limted. Apply for registration here: http://www.commentvisions.com/event-registration

 

After Copenhagen: the next steps

Tuesday 26 January 2010, 19.00 – 20.30 (registration starts at 18.30)

European Parliament

Brussels

Background

The COP15 conference was widely seen as a setback for the EU. The agreement that was reached fell short of the global deal to replace the Kyoto protocol that the EU had sought.

The summit also revealed the limits of EU influence. The EU, which had been instrumental in getting the Kyoto protocol agreed, was unable to shape a deal in Copenhagen, outmanoeuvred by the US and China.

Agreement on all those elements at Copenhagen is improbable. It is already clear that Copenhagen is most unlikely to produce a legally binding agreement. Even the most optimistic observers now believe that a deal will have to be completed in 2010. Yet Copenhagen will have to make significant progress.

What lessons should the EU draw from Copenhagen? Can the EU still be a driving force in global climate politics? Should the EU continue to push for a global agreement, or should it consider other options, such as bilateral agreements? Should it even take unilateral action, as advocated by some European stakeholders, and increase its emissions reduction target from 20% to 30% without waiting for the US and China to follow? Is a global deal still possible, and when might it be reached?

These are just some of the questions that European Voice and its Comment:Visions partners invite you to debate with a panel of senior EU decision-makers and stakeholders.

Provisional Timing

18.30-19.00 Welcome of participants and registration

19.00-19.05 Introduction of participants by the European Voice moderator

19.05-19.30 Panel discussion

 

  • Mr Jo Leinen MEP, Chairman of the European Parliament's environment committee, leader of the Parliament's delegation to Copenhagen.
  • Mr Jos Delbeke, Deputy director-general of environment, responsible for climate policy, European Commission
  • a representative of the Spanish presidency*
  • Mr Matthias Duwe, Director, Climate action network Europe
  • Mr Nick Campbell, Chairman, Climate change working group, Business Europe

     

    19.30-20.20 Debate (audience participation strongly encouraged)

    20.20-20.30 Conclusions by Graeme Sweeney, Executive Vice-President, CO2, Shell

    20.30 Drinks reception

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