Press Release: Environment Council: Commission welcomes Council conclusions on the EU position for the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference

On 21 October the European Commissioner for the Environment Stavros Dimas welcomed the Council conclusions on the EU position for the COP 15 conference to be held in Copenhagen this December. The Conclusions advance the EU position, which will now be finalised by the European Council at the end of October. Discussions focused on the scale of the long-term (2050) emission reduction objective for the EU, targets to be set for reducing emissions from international aviation and maritime transport, accounting rules for changes in emissions due to land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF), and how to tackle a potential surplus of assigned amount units from the Kyoto Protocol's 2008-2012 commitment period. Debates were also held on three issues: ship dismantling, the eco-efficient economy, and the proposed recast of two Directives, the Directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), and the Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS).

ESO: Background information: United Nations Climate Change Conference, 7-18 December 2008 (COP15) http://www.europeansources.info/record/website-united-nations-climate-change-conference-7-18-december-2009-cop15/

ESO: Background information: EU eyes ships and aircraft for climate deal http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-eyes-ships-and-aircraft-for-climate-deal/

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