Paris:
World leaders at the Copenhagen Summit barely have two weeks to save the planet. And with Day One already gone, the clock is ticking.
Europe has so far projected itself as a leader, but experts say it will have to be quick in coming out with what it's ready to put on the table and how much. Most say what's already been offered is not enough.
As financial assistance to developing countries for adaptation mitigation, Europe says it is willing to offer two to 15 billion euros a year. But experts believe Europe's share should be as much as 35 billion euros a year.
Europe's 20 per cent emission cuts by the year 2020 also fall short of the 40 per cent that would ideally be required.
"The main role that Europe has to play is to bring back the question of finance into the negotiation. The risk is that US and China discuss together and eventually find an agreement of technology transfer, but who will take care of the African countries?" Sandrine Mathy, from the European Climate Action Network.
Voters in countries like France push political parties to keep climate change high on the agenda. Green parties made high gains in the European parliament elections earlier this year.
For the Copenhagen Summit to be a success it will have to be reach a conclusion that's fair, ambitious and binding. It may a bit too early to say if that will happen but there are already many who feel that there is no time to be lost.
Europe has so far projected itself as a leader, but experts say it will have to be quick in coming out with what it's ready to put on the table and how much. Most say what's already been offered is not enough.
As financial assistance to developing countries for adaptation mitigation, Europe says it is willing to offer two to 15 billion euros a year. But experts believe Europe's share should be as much as 35 billion euros a year.
Europe's 20 per cent emission cuts by the year 2020 also fall short of the 40 per cent that would ideally be required.
"The main role that Europe has to play is to bring back the question of finance into the negotiation. The risk is that US and China discuss together and eventually find an agreement of technology transfer, but who will take care of the African countries?" Sandrine Mathy, from the European Climate Action Network.
Voters in countries like France push political parties to keep climate change high on the agenda. Green parties made high gains in the European parliament elections earlier this year.
For the Copenhagen Summit to be a success it will have to be reach a conclusion that's fair, ambitious and binding. It may a bit too early to say if that will happen but there are already many who feel that there is no time to be lost.
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