Athens
, 3 March 2010
Without ignoring the difficulties that were known from the beginning, we hoped and fought until the last moment to reach an agreement that would limit the rise in the earth’s temperature to 2οC or less and would give the world the right to hope.
This agreement was not reached in the end. By contrast, a feeble deal with vague and general references to the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions was signed. This non-binding text does not include the global target that had been set at the Summit. It also puts off decision-making until 2010, calling upon leaders to show the necessary political will to turn their words to deeds. The European Union’s hopes that the world community would commit to cutting CO2 emissions did not materialize and the Summit considered to be the most important global conference since the one in Kyoto in 1997 reached a weak deal.
There were many factors that led to the conference’s failure. Through an initial assessment of the negative factors, we could mention the following: the real problem is climate change, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, putting an end to deforestation, limiting emissions from international air transport and shipping. But instead of these, emphasis as part of the political discussion and by the media was given to funding, which is definitely significant but it is not enough and, as a result, many issues that are substantially linked with climate change have been left behind. Furthermore, it was proven in the course of proceedings that most sides were not ready to make binding decisions. On the one hand, the United States – despite their intentions to proceed with reforming their legal framework in order to be able to commit – were not able to finalise the necessary legislative provisions, and on the other hand, the EU had to address pending funding matters. A lot of other countries – including China - followed a wait-and-see approach, instead of committing themselves.
However, despite the fact that our expectations were not met, the Copenhagen process is still the only way to address climate change.
Greece has been among the countries playing a leading role in actions to tackle climate change. From the outset, it has been in favour of substantial commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions in Europe and across the world. It is also determined to stay among the countries that will continue through their actions to fight against climate change. The decisions that came out of the Copenhagen Conference did not satisfy Greece, which expected that a legally binding text would be signed, setting specific goals on cutting emissions and clear timeframes on implementing measures .
Beyond its obligations within the EU framework, Greece – through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs – has also taken initiatives - and updated them during the Summit – in order to develop bilateral and multilateral relations and adopt regional action plans together with states of the wider Black Sea area, the Balkans, and the Eastern Mediterranean. The aim of Greece’s initiatives is to promote green development and cooperation between these countries with a view to tackling climate change, promote socio-economic development in general and also create the conditions for prosperity in the region.