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 Brussels, 17/03/08: Last week's European Council Spring Summit endorsed the first paper drafted by Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy chief, dealing with climate change as an issue of international security. According to the eleven-page report, which Solana and External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner presented on March 14 in Brussels, climate change poses “serious security risks'', including increased immigration, widespread shortage of water, diminishing food and fish stocks, increased flooding and prolonged droughts." Africa is named as particularly vulnerable.
Yet, rather than seizing on this warning in order to intensify their efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, the EU leaders spent much time addressing a phenomenon known as 'carbon leakage'. That term is used to describe fears that energy-intensive industries could relocate from Europe to countries in the wider world with less stringent laws that aim to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the main gas triggering climate change.
The report predicts "more disputes over land and maritime borders and other territorial rights", due to receding coastlines and the submerging of large areas, including whole island states. Africa is named as particularly vulnerable. "Already today climate change is having a major impact on the conflict in and around Darfur," notes the report. Throughout the continent reduced rainfall and increasing temperatures are becoming more and more common. Given these factors, migration both within Africa and towards Europe "is likely to intensify".
Under the heading “possible actions” the report lists priorities such as giving more attention to the security risks related to climate change in the multilateral arena and recommends further integration of climate change into the EU’s regional strategies. Special attention should be given to the most vulnerable regions and potential climate security hot spots. The Global Climate Change Alliance between the EU and the most vulnerable developing countries should also be built upon further.
Comprehensive deliberations” between Council and Parliament on the Commission’s proposals should produce a deal before the end of 2008 and consequently allow for their adoption within the current legislative term, at the latest early in 2009, according to conclusions from the summit.
Click here to read an IPS article on the European Council meeting |
