Monday, December 14, 2009

Giving the Poles a hard time

The Polish Ministers of Finance and Environment were having a meeting about the implementation of their climate policy.

Went along, trying to keep an open mind.


They said that they wanted to cut carbon emission by 30% by 2030. Sounds good but this doesn't bear close examination. They want to use 2005 as their baseline and since only 5% of their energy comes from renewables their emissions have a long way to fall.

They are currently being helped by the European Bank for Development (The EBRD) to spend the assistance they have been given by the EU in a way that is "transparent", "efficient" and accountable. Hmmm.

I asked whether the rumour was true that they would veto any proposal from the EU that Europe cut emissions by 30% by 2020 with a baseline of 1990?

The chair got cross with me and said that the offer wasn't going to be on the table and muttered something about people who should have more will lacking it.

I pressed him "But if it was on the table, what would you do?"

More muttering. I heard "comparability" and "no fiddling"

Double hmmm.