Malta wants climate change to feature in EU-Arab League dialogue

Regional aspects of energy and climate change issues were discussed for the first time by the third informal meeting of EU Mediterranean foreign ministers in St Julian's last Friday.

In his written conclusions, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo stated that "as littoral states facing North Africa and the Middle East - an oil-producing region with immense potential - we agreed that in its efforts to diversify its (energy) sources, the Union should give important consideration to the enhancement of its relations with its southern partners. The importance of addressing climate change and the need for more renewable energy sources to be developed was also the subject of our discussions."

During his subsequent press conference, Dr Frendo announced that the issue would also be on the agenda of the fourth meeting in Slovenia in July - where Bulgaria and Romania would join the current eight members of the group. "Malta also believes that the two topics should be discussed in an interrelated manner within the ministerial EU-Arab League dialogue we have formally proposed to the German Presidency." He added that Mediterranean ministers gave their strong support to this Malta Initiative.

Last Friday's meeting here coincided with the issue in Paris of the report entitled "Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis - Summary for Policymakers".

The document is the first part of the Fourth Assessment Report of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to be followed by two others presented in April and May on adaptation to climate change impacts and emission reduction pathways.

Among its many stark warnings and calls for urgent action, the summary highlighted the Mediterranean and North Africa as the region likely to suffer the sharpest drop in rainfall (-20 per cent) by the end of the century.

New thinking in US

Michael Zammit Cutajar, the former United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) executive secretary who represents Malta in climate change negotiations, told The Sunday Times that the IPCC report provided an "even more solid scientific basis" for the challenging policy decisions needed to massively reduce emissions of the greenhouse gases causing global warming.

In a telephone interview from his home in Geneva Mr Zammit Cutajar said: "I am also hopeful that the new political environment in the United States can open the way for agreement at the next UNFCCC conference in Bali in December on an international framework covering a comprehensive strategy to address climate change as from 2012 - the end of the UNFCCC Kyoto Protocol's first 'commitment period' for emission reductions by 35 industrialised nations."

The US accounts for 25 per cent of global emissions of carbon dioxide but the Bush administration has refused to ratify the 1997 Kyoto Protocol signed by its predecessor. The administration has also consistently questioned the soundness of "the science" of climate change. In a significant turnaround last Friday, Samuel Bodman, the US energy secretary welcomed and accepted the IPCC report; however he insisted that the US continue to oppose assuming any formal obligations to cut emissions.

Last week a congressional committee heard testimonies from a broad range of witnesses about the Administration's 'gagging' of scientists and the 'modification' of their publications in order to 'downplay' the seriousness and human-induced causes of climate change.

The recent elections resulting in Democratic control as from last month of both Houses of Congress makes possible the adoption of climate change legislation before President Bush's term ends in January 2009.

Senator Barbara Boxer, the new chair of the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee, has challenged President Bush to show 'real leadership' and convene a White House summit of the 12 largest greenhouse gas emitters; meanwhile announcing she would invite the IPCC scientists to brief the Senate.

Over the last few years, 31 states and 350 cities across the US have also introduced various types of emission reduction measures. Big business has finally got off the fence as well, with the launch last month of the UN Climate Action Partnership by ten global corporations. They are lobbying for deep, mandatory and deep emission cuts by the United States.

Europe meanwhile intends to continue playing a leadership role on climate change. Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel told the European Parliament last month that she was determined to facilitate groundbreaking agreements at the G8 summit she will chair in June. These would then contribute to a UN-wide consensus emerging in Bali. The German EU presidency will also strive to obtain approval by the next EU Council (March 8) of a comprehensive EU Energy Action Plan, also addressing climate change issues.

This will be based on a broad package of proposals covering energy and climate change submitted by the European Commission last month - which includes a call for the EU to commit to a 30 per cent cut in emissions by 2020 if other industrialised nations do the same - and 20 per cent if no agreement with other emitters in reached. A major boost to renewable energies and energy efficiency is also featured.