Energy Efficiency and Climate Change News: : 24 - 30 September 2009
Industry, business and utilities
Emissions trading/Carbon market
General Policy
Senators to unveil new draft climate bill (BusinessGreen, 29 September 2009)
The Boxer-Kerry bill, to be introduced in the US Senate on 30 September, reportedly includes a 20% emission reduction target for 2020 from 2005 levels. It also attempts to move away from language that has been divisive, with Senator Kerry emphasising "This is not a cap-and-trade bill, it's a pollution reduction bill."Both senators say the bill is simply a starting point.
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2250244/senators-unveil-draft-climate
US Senate bill faces stormy passage (Financial Times, 30 September 2009)
The Boxer-Kerry climate change bill starts its way through the senate today, and will likely face stiff opposition. Some believe cap-and-trade requirements could be removed, making it a simple energy bill; Blanche Lincoln, new head of the influential Senate agricultural committee, called cap-and-trade a “complete non-starter”, while Republic senator John Barrasso said such a system would only be understood by "the elite on Wall Street".
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/33333880-ad58-11de-9caf-00144feabdc0.html
Senate climate bill seeks airplane emissions cuts (Reuters, 30 September 2009)
According to a draft seen by Reuters, the Boxer-Kerry Senate climate bill would require emissions from new aircraft and engines used in aircraft to meet GHG emission standards from the end of 2012 onwards. Those drafting the regulations would need to take into account available technology at the time the standards take effect.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58S70X20090930
Spain says has power to spare, can phase out nukes (Reuters, 28 September 2009)
Responding to IEA director Nobuo Tanaka’s statement regarding Spain’s current policy of phasing-out nuclear power ("Phasing out may not help the current challenge that Spain is facing with energy security and climate change"), Spain’s Energy Secretary Pedro Martin said that Spain had “substantial spare generation capacity” and a broad demand structure, meaning there would be no issues with phasing-out its nuclear capacity. Mr. Martin added that Spain already had more nuclear capacity than most of its neighbours, and would remain so for the next 5-10 years.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58R49020090928
EU, U.S. eye green goods tax pact in climate fight (Reuters, 28 September 2009)
Frustrated by the slow pace of Doha round talks to reduce tariffs on environmental goods, the US and the EU are spearheading discussion on an agreement between OECD member states and China to phase-out import tariffs on climate-friendly technologies. However a deal is unlikely to include hybrid cars, according to an EU diplomat. The deal, which would not contravene WTO rules, is seen as away to boost trade and save Chinese exporters money. Though other countries could opt in, a diplomat says it would not be particularly beneficial for countries like Brazil and India.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58R3AR20090928?sp=true
Four degrees of warming 'likely' (BBC, 28 September 2009)
Scientists at the UK Met Office have released new global warming projections, which alarmingly show a temperature increase of 4C being reached by 2070, and possibly even 2060. The model accounted for fossil fuel use continuing to increase, as it has over the past two decades.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8279654.stm
Election boosts German nuclear stocks (Financial Times, 28 September 2009)
Shares in German utilities Eon and RWE led stock market gains following the Germany election, since both coalition parties, the FDP and CDU, favour continued use of nuclear energy, possibly repealing a 2001 law on nuclear phase-out by 2021. Several left-of-centre parties said they would make the government’s nuclear policy their chief target in the coming months.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ef6a9df0-ac62-11de-a754-00144feabdc0.html
Analysts warn Hatoyama after success debut (Cop15, 28 September 2009)
Analysts warn that Japan’s new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama will need to face the political reality of his internationally applauded target of reducing GHG emissions 25% by 2020 from 1990 levels. Some business leaders are warning this could entail an annual burden of USD 4000 for each citizen and could push struggling manufacturers to move overseas. Hatoyama responded he was confident Japan could meet the targets by making full use of its science and technology.
http://en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=2209
G20: fossil-fuel subsidy phase-out agreed (Reuters, ENS; 25 September 2009
The G20 countries agreed to phase-out subsidies for fossil fuels in the medium term at the close of a two-day summit, which would be combined with targeted support for the poorest households. The American Petroleum Institute said Washington would need to clarify how this commitment would apply to the US. A US official said the policy may affect independent oil producers, but was unlikely to have an impact on large companies. The G20 statement called on the International Energy Agency and OPEC to analyse the scope of subsidies and make recommendations for a phase-out policy at the next summit. Meanwhile, finance ministers were requested to develop a range of options for climate finance for the next G20 meeting.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58O18U20090926?sp=true; http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/sep2009/2009-09-25-03.asp?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzEmail&utm_content=556211&utm_campaign=0
China official warns on "too fast" nuclear plans (Reuters, 27 September 2009)
Zhang Guobao, head of China’s National Energy Administration, has warned that nuclear plant construction plans may need to be slowed down to ensure these are safe. China’s target of 40GW of nuclear power capacity by 2020 would entail building 2 reactors a year, but Zhang said: "We'd rather move slower and achieve less than incur potential safety concerns in terms of nuclear energy."
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58Q1GR20090927
California sets biggest energy efficiency plan (Reuters, 24 September 2009)
The California Public Utilities Commission is launching an ambitious energy efficiency programme, setting a three-year energy savings budget for utilities 42% higher than the previous plan. The State has earmarked USD 3.1 billion in programmes that will cut power needs equivalent to three 500 megawatt power plants, according the California Public Utilities. The funds will aim at programmes in the building sector, as well as USD 100 million for education and training. It will also phase-down subsidies for basic CFLs, shifting to solid state lighting and other efficient light technologies.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58N70520090924
Agenda hijacked by global warming (Financial Times, 25 September 2009)
In contrast with the April G20 meeting, climate change will be placed high on the agenda in Pittsburgh, with the US proposing that states eliminate fossil fuel subsidies. Careful not to be seen asking something of others and not acting itself, the US Congress has been asked to eliminate tax credits for oil exploration and production in its budget. Trade measures to help poorer countries reduce emissions will also be discussed, such as eliminating tariffs on clean energy products.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/58c9c664-a933-11de-9b7f-00144feabdc0.html
Jakarta policies reveal pitfalls of fuel subsidies (Financial Times, 25 September 2009)
Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been asked to open G20 discussions on reducing fossil fuel subsidies, since under his presidency subsidised fuel price were dramatically increased in 2005 and 2008. These saved the government money, but have had mixed results; in 2008, energy subsidies still accounted for 25% of government spending, and only 10% of these went to the poor. After lobbying from technocrats, the government is now considering introducing an automatic adjustment mechanism.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b90d4982-a96b-11de-9b7f-00144feabdc0.html
China, South Korea lead in green stimulus investment (Reuters, 24 September 2009)
Reporting on the status of “green” investments from stimulus money, UNEP found that South Korea (with 79%) and China (with 34%) led the G20 countries in terms of the portion of stimulus funds used for such investments. The report also indicated that USD 512 billion in investments are pegged to the expectation of a carbon market continuing post-2012, while stimulus funds also include USD 250 billion in “perverse subsidies” on fossil fuels and agriculture that have negative impacts on emissions.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58N0TV20090924; UNEP press release http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=596&ArticleID=6325&l=en&utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzEmail&utm_content=552578&utm_campaign=0
South Korea to announce emissions targets this year (Reuters, 23 September 2009)
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said a voluntary emission reduction target for 2020 would be announced before the end of the year. He added that South Korea intended to invest approximately 2% of its GDP in “green growth” over the next 5 years.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58M5KP20090923
Can China make a great green leap forward? (Times Online, 23 September 2009)
The Times world business editor comments that China’s announcement that it will reduce the carbon and energy intensity of its economy is achievable, as it is simply the speeding up of a natural cycle. In order to achieve this China needs to focus on two areas: Embrace market forces and let the true cost of energy pass on to consumers, and target coal-based power generation.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6844955.ece
Republicans Attempt to Block U.S. Agency’s CO2 Rules (Bloomberg, 23 September 2009)
Senator Lisa Murkowski has introduced an amendment to the legislation governing the US EPA’s budget, being discussed this week, which would prevent the Agency from regulating GHGs for industrial sources during the next year, or until September 30, 2010. She cited concern that this would lead the EPA to regulate smaller sources, and that if only large emitters were covered, environmental groups would sue until the Clean Air Act ruling requiring that all sources emitting over 250 tonnes per year of pollutant be regulated as well.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601130&sid=ao.EFUzNyl_8
Senate blocks move against EPA climate rules (Reuters, 24 September 2009)
US Senators have agreed not to vote on whether to approve proposed legislation that would prevent the EPA from developing regulations on CO2 emissions from certain industries and utilities for one year.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58N4I320090924
Industry, business and utilities
Engineering giants follow the money to green power (Reuters, 29 September 2009)
Given a dim outlook for conventional power plants, the largest US companies are keenly embracing large scale renewable energy projects, seeing them quite simply as attractive investments.
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE58S4MZ20090929?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=11604&sp=true
Clean tech investments soar worldwide: report (Reuters, 29 September 2009)
Greentech Media reported that investment in clean technology has jumped again in Q3, reaching USD 1.9 billion in 112 deals, after jumping to USD 1.2 billion in the second quarter from USD 836 million in the first. Over half of the investments were in solar and a combined category of biofuels, gasification and cleaner coal. There were 14 deals in smart grid and associated technologies accounting for USD 160 million, while five deals in auto and transport represented USD 158 million. Two other major areas were green buildings and materials, accounting for USD 105 million and USD 100 million respectively.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58S03Z20090929
Energy efficiency could pull the plug on utilities (Financial Times, 25 September 2009)
Utilities analysts at Exane BNP warn that European utilities face a real risk that there will be greater generation capacity than demand, and for longer than the market expects. Part of this will be due to EU Eco-Efficiency Directive aimed at improving the energy efficiency of appliances that will further reign in demand at a time of already low consumption.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bb5ee29a-a96b-11de-9b7f-00144feabdc0.html
UK: Extra £20 million for clean energy tech (DECC press release, 28 September 2009)
The UK announced that GBP 20 million in government-backed venture capital support has been made available for clean energy technology RD&D, the latest allocation of the GBP 405 million for low-carbon technologies announced in Budget. Up to GBP 300 million have already been allocated for off-shore wind, wave and tidal energy, as well as the deployment of low-carbon technologies in homes and communities.
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn110/pn110.aspx
California utility quits US Chamber of Commerce over climate-sceptic stance (BusinessGreen, 23 September 2009)
California's Pacific Gas and Electric (PG &E), one of the US’s largest utilities, has left the influential US Chamber of Commerce due to “fundamental differences” over climate change. PG&E notably took exception to the Chamber of Commerce’s campaigns to challenge the accepted science on climate change, including filing a petition with the EPA asking it to hold public hearings on the science of climate change. PG&E said the Chamber’s extreme view on climate change did not reflect the range of views held by its members.
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2249933/california-utility-quits
Exelon to quit U.S. Chamber of Commerce over climate (Reuters, 28 September 2009)
Following in the footsteps of other utilities PG&E Corp and PNM Resources Inc, Exelon Corp, the largest nuclear power operator in the US, has also left the US Chamber of Commerce due to its position on climate change and opposition to legislation currently being debated in the US Senate.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58R4GZ20090928
Industry gets heated over stance taken by lobby groups (Financial Times, 30 September 2009)
Several companies have left the US Chamber of Commerce and the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) due to differences in opinion over climate change. Companies supporting passage of legislation are keen to distance themselves from these groups to show their support for such legislation. The Chamber of Commerce said its position was misrepresented; it is only challenging whether global warming endangers human health, not that it is man-made. The ACCCE also said it supported “policies that seek continuous environmental improvements."
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/45faaeb2-ad58-11de-9caf-00144feabdc0.html
South Korea's polluters invest in green for profit (Reuters, 30 September 2009)
Shares in several Korean heavy-hitters rose after announcements on “green” energy and technology investments by these firms. These include projects on electric and hybrid vehicle batteries, as well as solar and wind energy. The Korean government is also providing financial incentives for such investments. Large Korean firms generally have several associate firms that can be relied on as markets for products and components.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58T1W520090930?sp=true
Buildings
Green Homes: UNECE study on energy efficient housing (UNECE press release, 28 September 2009)
The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has released a study examining current housing energy efficiency policies, and highlighting the technical solutions available to improve energy efficiency, and the institutional infrastructures needed for these to be put in place. The report underlines the room for improvement in all states, particularly transition countries.
http://www.unece.org/press/pr2009/09env_p20e.htm
Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Necessary for Low Cost Climate Change Solutions (Peterson Institute news release, 23 September 2009)
The Peterson Institute’s Trevor Houser has modelled at what costs the building sector could achieve significant emissions reductions, using the IEA figure of an 8.2 billion tonne reduction in CO2 from BAU (taken from ETP 2008), through efficiency improvements and reducing the carbon intensity of electricity. According to his analysis, this would cost USD 1 trillion, much higher than estimated in the WEO. Energy savings at current prices would recover most of the investment; on average reducing building sector emissions would cost USD 25/tonne CO2.
http://www.iie.com/publications/newsreleases/newsrelease.cfm?id=158; Full report, The Economics of Energy Efficiency in Buildings, http://www.iie.com/publications/pb/pb09-17.pdf
Appliances and equipment
Council adopts new eco-design directive (Council press release, 24 September 2009)
The EU Council of Ministers formally adopted five major environmental laws, including a revised Eco-design directive that extends the law’s current scope to energy-related products. Products targeted will include windows, insulation materials and shower heads. Though energy use will continue to be the key design requirement, new requirements for the products will be based around six elements and determined by comitology. The environmental impact of products throughout their whole life cycle will need to be considered.
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/trans/110302.pdf; recast Directive http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/09/st03/st03663.en09.pdf
Global Phase Out of Old Bulbs Announced by UN, GEF, and Industry (UNEP press release, 25 September 2009)
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have a launched a nearly USD 20 million initiative, Global Market Transformation for Efficient Lighting Platform, in collaboration with companies OSRAM and Philips. The initiative aims to speed up national initiatives to phase-out inefficient light bulbs and lighting systems, and by setting international energy and performance standards. It also aims to replace fuel-based lighting systems, such as those using kerosene.
http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=596&ArticleID=6331&l=en&utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzEmail&utm_content=552578&utm_campaign=0
Transport
Eco-friendly tyres with additional marketing grip (Financial Times, 27 September 2009)
An EU-wide energy efficiency labelling scheme for tyres is seen by European tyre and rubber makers as one solution for customers to differentiate between “cheapness and innovation”, thus allowing for more expensive innovative tyres which grip the road while providing less rolling resistance to compete with much cheaper Chinese tyres, transforming the market in the same way efficiency labels for appliances did.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/89c48f9a-abab-11de-9be4-00144feabdc0.html
EU tyre efficiency labels could be amended in compromise deal (T&E, ENDS, 29 September 2009)
Transport NGO T&E has criticised the most recent compromise agreement on EU tyre efficiency and noise labelling struck between the European Parliament, Commission and Member States as being unenforceable, because it ultimately makes the labelling scheme voluntary, “with no clear rules on how or where the labels should be displayed.” These could be it "in the immediate proximity of the tyre before the sale of the tyre", according to a draft compromise text. According to ENDS, Michelin has been the only company calling for a mandatory label on the tyre at point of sale, for their environmentally superior tyres to gain competitive advantage. ENDS also reports that governments, led by Germany and Italy, fought for greater flexibility on where labels could be displayed.
http://www.transportenvironment.org/News/2009/9/EU-punctures-tyre-efficiency-label-plan/;
Google working on "smart" plug-in hybrid charging (Reuters, 30 September 2009)
Google is undertaking preliminary work on software for integrating plug-in hybrid vehicles into the power grid, in a way that would allow utilities to manage their charging, and the vehicles to act as a back-up storage system, eventually transferring stored energy back onto the grid during peak hours.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58S6VJ20090930
Emissions trading/Carbon market
EU court ruling adds carbon trade uncertainty (Reuters, Press Release, 23 September 2009)
The European Court of First Instance ruled in favour of Poland and Estonia, declaring that the EU Commission was wrong and had “exceeded its power” when it revised the number of carbon allowances in Poland and Estonia’s national allocation plans, cutting industry emission caps by 26.7% and 47% respectively. The Court ruled that while the Commission could review national allocation plans, it did not have the authority to replace data in the plans with “data obtained from its own assessment method”. The Commission was disappointed with the ruling which it sees as compromising the integrity of the carbon market, while Polish diplomatic sources said it was unlikely its allocated quota would be changed, despite the ruling.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58M1DY20090923?sp=true; http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2009-09/cp090076en.pdf;
Europe wrangles over carbon emissions quotas (Reuters, 24 September 2009)
The European Court of First Instance ruling against Commission revision of Poland and Estonia’s emission allowances may have opened the floodgates to more haggling. Lithuania and the Czech Republic, with similar appeals before the Court, are optimistic. Italy wrote the Commission complaining about difficulties with meeting quotas, asking for “intervention to reach a shared solution”. France has also raised the question of a reserve fund for new entrants. However, it is unlikely Poland will change its cap, and it is cautious about its victory, since a renegotiated quota could be based on 2008 emissions, which were lower due to reduced industrial activity.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58N3X820090924?sp=true; Italy asks to renegotiate http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58N34920090924; Poland faces risk asking for more permits http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58N39Q20090924?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=11604
China, BlueNext form standard to build CO2 market (Reuters, 23 September 2009)
BlueNext and the China-Beijing Environment Exchange (CBEEX) have developed a voluntary carbon market standard for projects from agriculture and forestry, which they hope will spur investment. Details on how the standard will work are to be released in Copenhagen in December.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSN2352081320090923
China sees emission trading pilot in next econ plan (Reuters, 27 September 2009)
In a statement released by China’s Ministry of Environment, “trial work on trading emission and pollution permits” would be part of its five-year economic development plan to 2015. However, how large the trial will be, and whether it will cover GHGs, is not known.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58Q0EA20090927
Exclusive: Insiders predict China could beat US to cap-and-trade launch (BusinessGreen, 29 September 2009)
BlueNext director Philippe Chauvancy said China could establish a voluntary cap-and-trade scheme over the next few months, possibly announcing this at the Copenhagen climate talks. Along with other senior carbon market figures, he believes China is likely to roll-out a cap-and-trade scheme before the US, though The Climate Group policy director Mark Kenber disagreed, and said a “counter-lobby) in the US would push for a mandatory system to be in place earlier.
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2250315/china-cap-trade-announcement
New Zealand's new carbon laws set for safe passage (Reuters, 24 September 2009)
New Zealand is confident it will pass its revised emissions trading scheme (ETS) before climate change negotiations in December; the scheme was presented before parliament on 24 September. The revised scheme still covers all sectors and gases, but with longer implementation time frames, more subsidies to industry and price caps.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58N11220090924
Shippers back cap and trade scheme to cut CO2 (Reuters, 23 September 2009)
Five shipping industry associations said a global emissions trading scheme was the best way to target GHG emissions from shipping. Saying they wanted to be “part of the solution”, the industry associations proposed two ways in which the scheme would operate. The first would be to allocate the sector a specific amount of credits, as though it were a country. The other would be for countries to auction credits to shipping firms, based on bunker fuel sales.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58M48W20090923?sp=true
Climate change negotiations
India promises annual greenhouse gas reporting to UN (Cop15, 28 September 2009)
India’s Minister for Environment Jairam Ramesh indicated India was willing to report annually to the UNFCCC on its mitigation actions and their impacts: “An annual communication to the UN will say what we’re doing, what the results are, how it is being implemented, the impact...We want to be transparent to the international community, but domestically accountable to our voters.” Mr. Ramesh has been criticised for this, with some arguing “there was no need for India to volunteer” providing an annual report, and that this could become an opportunity for forcing India to accept international verification and monitoring of domestic measures.
http://en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=2218
South Africa softens tone on climate change (Reuters, 23 September 2009)
The South African government aimed to correct “the wrong impression that had been created that South Africa was opposed to targets being set on global warming," saying that it does support curbs and limits on GHG emissions, but not “targets that are imposed by developed nations on developing nations to reduce carbon emissions," according to a cabinet spokesperson. He pointed out that South Africa’s strategic framework for addressing climate change sees the country’s emissions peaking between 2020-25.
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE58M3JR20090923?feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews
Indonesia CO2 pledge to help climate talks: greens (Reuters, 29 September 2009)
Indonesian President Bambang Yudhoyono’s speech to the G20, in which he announced the government would be developing policy to reduce GHG emissions 26% by 2020 from BAU levels, was welcomed by environmentalists and seen as a positive boost to climate change talks in Bangkok. This would be attained through renewable energy development and changes in forestry and land-use practices.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58S1CR20090929?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=10522
Global warming (Financial Times, 24 September 2009)
TheFT Lex column says a “grand deal” in Copenhagen is necessary, whereas on any other issue aiming for a limited agreement or more modest goals would be the answer. Why? Because of “the prospect of economic free riders poaching jobs and factories from signatories”, and the alarming fact that even a 70% cut in emissions would simply stabilise atmospheric CO2 concentrations by the end of the century.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/1ffc5a90-a8e3-11de-b8bd-00144feabdc0.html
EU says rich states must pay up to save climate agreement (Guardian, 25 September 2009)
Using “unusually blunt language”, EU Commission president José Manuel Barroso said that industrialised economies had to make significant emission reductions and credible financial commitments to help poorer countries adapt to and mitigate climate change: “in other words,” he said, “no money, no deal.” He also said financing would not be a blank cheque, and that developing countries needed to contribute to mitigation: "In other words, no action, no money." While some praised Barroso for his clarity and for cutting to the heart of the problem, India’s environment minister Jairam Ramesh said the speech was "not very helpful".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/sep/24/eu-jose-manuel-barroso-copenhagen
The baseline year is high on the agenda next week in Thailand (Cop15, 25 September 2009)
One of the contentious issues in the Bangkok climate talks that the Thai government would like to break the stalemate over is the determination of a baseline year against which to measure emission reduction targets. Some developed countries want to shift this from 1990 to 2005, while developing countries (including Thailand) are opposed to this.
http://en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=2203