CEFIC emphasized that in order to reach an effective agreement and move the world toward the targeted emission reduction targets, three principles should be followed: First, new climate-friendly technologies must be developed, and the chemical industry can provide decisive concrete solutions to international framework agreements. . To achieve the UN’s goal of increasing global temperatures by up to 2°C, we must promote more technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many countries are now formulating low-carbon transition plans to guide greenhouse gas emission reductions, which need to be supported by new technologies that are more adaptive to population growth and modernization needs. The second is to promote the spread of climate-friendly and innovative products and technologies on a global scale. The framework agreement must focus on the greatest extent, the most effective, and the lowest cost of emission reduction. Carbon emissions should be measured as emissions over the entire life cycle rather than the production phase. The third is to promote sustainable economic development in all regions. CEFIC stated that the COP15 negotiations held in Copenhagen should set a higher mandatory goal, but first of all, it is necessary to think deeply about the impact on each country’s economy.
CEFIC stated that protectionist trade policy measures or climate protection targets that are not conducive to implementation are unacceptable. Successful climate policies must be based on fair markets, free and fair trade, and full protection of intellectual property rights. To further promote low-carbon methods, it is necessary to strengthen the flexible emission reduction mechanisms such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
The inconsistency of standards for climate protection measures in various countries will promote the transfer of energy-intensive industries from countries with high emission reduction standards to countries with low standards, thereby further accelerating global carbon emissions, that is, the so-called “carbon leakage†problem. In response, CEFIC stated that giving appropriate incentives for effective climate change solutions can reduce or even avoid unfair competition and “carbon leakage†so as to drive more funds into the low carbon sector. In this regard, the EU has already gone ahead. The European Commission said in July this year that it will directly invest up to 8 billion euros in carbon capture and storage (CCS). The funds will come from the income obtained in the next phase of the European emissions trading system (ETS) that began in 2013. The EU will require manufacturers to purchase a considerable portion of greenhouse gas emission allowances through auctions and support the research and development of innovative low-carbon technologies in the form of subsidies.
European Chemical Industry Association for the Climate Conference
The Copenhagen climate talks of the United Nations Climate Change Conference met fiercely over the past week. There was a lot of divergence between the groups and it was uncertain whether the agreement could be reached. For this reason, the European Chemical Industry Association (CEFIC) this week suggested that appropriate incentive measures be introduced to continuously promote new climate-friendly technologies and products, and that an agreement be reached in accordance with the principle of promoting sustainable economic development in all regions.