Europe's World 2008. Spring [antikvár]

INTERNATIONAL Europe's chance to become a global climate champion With less than two years to go until the crucially important UN climate change talks in Copenhagen in late 2009, Denmark's Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen assesses Europe's chances of making a real difference on global warming The Kyoto Protocol was a landmark in the global fight against climate change and it has been the main reference point for international debate on the subject for years. However, the first commitment period to fulfil pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions between 2008 and 2012 only came into force a few months ago. For the next four years, those countries that ratified the protocol will be busy delivering on their binding promises. Meanwhile, the political debate has moved on - and rightly so. Kyoto was crucial, but it was only a first step. According to scientific evidence compiled by the International Panel on Climate Change, it will require strenuous efforts well beyond the Kyoto horizon of 2012 to limit temperature increases to 2o Celsius. This is now widely recognised. With Europe promising to lead the way beyond Kyoto, the eyes of the world will be on the Europe Union in 2008 to see how effective a lead we will take. It is right that the world should be looking to the EU for leadership. Europe shares responsibility for the world's current climate problems, accounting for approximately 14% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Cutting European emissions will make a substantial contribution towards worldwide efforts to reduce carbon levels - even