Poland, Germany in last-min EU climate deal push

[Jaga]

BRUSSELS/BERLIN, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Poland and Germany aim to pave the way for a European Union deal on tackling climate change at a summit on Thursday, with proposals to break a deadlock on who should foot the bill for the effort.

The measures, which sources said would help Poland and other poorer EU states bear the cost of schemes aimed at making Europe the world leader in the fight against global warming, would need backing from all 27 EU states at the two-day meeting.

The summit also aims to win accord on a 200 billion euro ($260 billion) stimulus package aimed at wrenching the bloc out of recession, and to encourage Ireland to call a new referendum on an EU reform treaty already rejected by its voters this year.

But internal EU differences could thwart accord on both climate change and the economic crisis.

"If I see that Italian interests will be hurt in an excessive way, I will use our veto rights," Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi warned on Wednesday in a possible foretaste of wrangling to come.

A source close to talks said Germany and Poland -- at the centre of an east-west stand-off on who should pay for the climate package -- had agreed between themselves on how to ease its impact on Poland's heavily coal-dependent power stations.

Poland would accept a deal under which only in 2019 would it have to oblige all its power stations to pay for permits to pollute under the bloc's Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), six years later than now proposed, according to the source.

In return, Germany would ask for special treatment for more modern, coal-based plants, the source said.

www.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUSLA12903720081210

[pieter]

Climate: don't let the spoilers decide!


Dear friends,

People power is getting results at the world's crucial climate negotiations this week. But Germany's Chancellor Merkel is blocking the deal. Let's send her an avalanche of messages telling her that her international reputation is on the line:

Send your urgent message here!

Pressure is rising as critical global climate negotiations near an end this week. Germany, Poland and Italy had been the main blockers, but now Poland has begun to waver! This leaves just Germany and Italy left standing in the way of the strong European leadership that's essential to secure us all a global deal.

Germany is the key – Chancellor Merkel is normally a climate champion, but has caved to industry, fearing for German jobs. She needs to hear from us that a Green Recovery is the answer to both our climate and our economic crises.

Merkel cares a great deal about her international reputation, which is why Avaaz has delivered our 150,000-strong petition and protested at her international meetings with the Poles. But now for the punch: an Avaaz commissioned opinion poll which reveals that 85% of Merkel’s own people are calling for her to show leadership in securing a strong climate deal. Together, we can help push Merkel over the edge -- follow this link to leave her a quick message encouraging her to do the smart thing for the environment and the economy:

www.avaaz.org/en/merkel_lead_on_climate

The growing Avaaz petition, our joint demonstrations, the Fossil of the Day Awards (delivered to the climate offenders of the day) and our advocacy meetings with leaders are starting to shift climate positions at the global climate talks in Poznan. New heroes are emerging, such as the group of small island states whose revolutionary climate solutions we have supported before. The umbrella group for developing countries, the "G77", and China are also now standing firm to the Europeans.

But despite mounting pressure, Germany is still arguing that emissions allowances should be free for industry. Merkel doesn't seem to understand the power of a green lead recovery or that green-collar jobs are the new growth industry. Instead she is catering to her country's cement, chemical, steel and car industries.

But if we can convince her to shift gears, an EU package will be all but sealed and with it a platform for a global climate plan. We've got to move decisively before Merkel publicly announces her final position later this week. We need to send clear and unambiguous messages demanding that she doesn't stand in the way of a global deal. Let her know that we need her back on side:

www.avaaz.org/en/merkel_lead_on_climate

As our leaders delay and lower their ambitions for action, our planet and our people are placed at greater risk. At this crucial time, our role is to let our representatives now that we wont allow another global climate talks to fail, that we have the solutions to the climate crisis, and we expect nothing less than a strong and binding deal to achieve it.

With hope,

Brett, Graziela, Ben, Ricken, Paula, Iain, Alice, Paul, Milena, Pascal and the whole Avaaz Team.

PS. For a report on Avaaz's campaigning so far, see:
secure.avaaz.org/en/report_back_2

PPS. You can watch the Fossil Awards live online for the rest of the week at 6pm CET/1pm EST at www.mogulus.com/youthclimatemovement or past winners at www.fossil-of-the-day.org

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[karl]

Pieter

Please to be not offended. For of my self as only one voice, I well speak in relationship to what is ideal, and what is reality. For in-as-much as speaking of the present and currant. Our nations are at present very much under stress with the economic down turn that has of recent made present.

Poland is under a considerable amount of economic stress in the energy sector, in as much as we are under a similar but some what different vein of downfall. For we are a highly industrial nation, and as such, energy is an absolute necessity, for with just only a minor of absence, we are out of business.

For of the currant and present time as of allowance of at least 2.5 years, is a reasonable time table for a positive elective stance to be taken.

Chancellor Merkel has taken a very wise choice of decision. For as you have brought forward, she is very much conscience of her reputation in the face of the international opinion.

But---she is on the short stick with us as of her workers of government. For she has neglected with promise after promise of civil service attention for update and repair of some long neglected programmes of reform.

For she is the master of direction, she gives the direction for the vehicle of motion, but we are the engine that will make it happen.

In short, I have not the option to enter such an action as you have proposed. But, this in no means of intention as an impediment for your self or that of others to react in what manner that their heart will desire.

I just wished to make this very clear...

For as to add in that of detract, I would enjoy for addition of information of the following url.

www.iisd.ca/climate/cop14/enbots/

Karl