Agreement in Copenhagen`Last Chance’ on Climate, EU’s Dimas Says

European Union Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas says that reaching an agreement in Copenhagen this December to sharply cut greenhouse gas emissions is “the world’s last chance to stop climate change before it passes the point of no return.” Speaking at a climate conference in Budapest, Dimas said that industrialized countries must lead the way and that the EU would vow to slash its emissions by 2020 from the currently targeted 20 percent to 30 percent if other industrialized nations agree to similar cuts and developing countries such as China “take action in line with their capabilities.” Dimas told the conference that a climate agreement in Copenhagen “is not only possible, it is imperative and we are going to have it.” He noted that the strong commitment by President Obama to begin combating global warming “is an enormously encouraging sign that progress is possible.” Dimas said greenhouse gas emissions must be halved by 2050 if the world hopes to keep temperatures rising no more than 1.2 degrees C (2 F) above current levels. Ultimately, the developed world must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 to 95 percent and also provide financial incentives and technology to help the developing world sharply reduce their emissions, Dimas said.