Position of Bulgaria in Regard to the New International Climate Agreement
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A document released by the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) states the official position of the country related to the negotiations on the new climate agreement. The document points out that Bulgaria supports the EU position. Along with the two main issues to be clarified during the current negotiations in Copenhagen, namely the emission reduction and the funding for the adaptation and mitigation measures, a priority issue for Bulgaria is also the possibility for banking for the next trade period (2013-2020) of the excessive AAUs (Assigned Amount Units). |
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The document published by the Bulgarian MoEW provides detailed description of the Bulgarian position in the light of the decisions made by the EU and more specifically the Presidency Conclusions of the European Council of 30 October 2009 and the Conclusions of the Environment Council of 23 November 2009.
For the EU the essential elements are:
- Binding emission reductions by all industrialised countries based on comparable efforts. The EU has shown leadership by committing unconditionally to cut its emissions to at least 20% below 1990 levels by 2020. Moreover, it has committed to scale up its emission cut to 30% on condition that other industrialised countries agree to make comparable reductions and developing countries contribute adequately to a global deal;
- Appropriate action by developing countries to limit emissions;
- A framework for action on adaptation to climate change;
- Action to reduce deforestation and forest degradation and promote sustainable forest management in tropical regions;
- Updated accounting rules for emissions from land-use, land-use change and forestry;
- An expanded international carbon market to generate financial support for developing countries and promote cost-effective emission cuts;
- Provision of international public finance to developing countries to supplement financial flows from the carbon market and domestic investment. The EU is committed to providing its fair share of 'fast-start' financing to help developing countries build up their capacities to combat climate change over the period 2010-2012;
- A comprehensive package on technology cooperation and funding to accelerate development of a low-carbon global economy.
The EU wants the Copenhagen agreement to be a single legally binding instrument that builds on and takes forward the Kyoto Protocol. The agreement needs to be ratified by governments in time for it to enter in force on 1 January 2013.
The position expressed by Bulgaria is:
- EU can make the transition to 30 % emission reduction only if the other developed countries make commitments for a common short-term (until 2020) goal of minimum 25% reduction compared to1990.
- Bulgaria, along with seven other Member States (Poland, Hungary, The Slovak Republic, Romania and The Baltic States) has the position that the EU must have special policy towards a certain group of Member States with lowest GDP in the Community and emission-intensive economies (like Bulgaria).
- Consequently, Bulgaria should strive for an agreement which significantly reduces the financial burden on the developing countries in order these Member States to concentrate on emission reduction in their economies. Reaching an agreement on this matter depends on the decision if there will be banking (transfer) for the next trade period (2013-2020) of the excessive AAUs (Assigned Amount Units) e.g. the “spared” emissions and to use these excessive units if the decision is taken. This issue remains a priority for Bulgarian country.
- Bulgaria supports the position of EU that the new agreement should be a single legally binding instrument that builds up the Kyoto Protocol.