The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this December makes 2009 a crucial year for international efforts to fight climate change. Developing countries face the challenge of both growth and development, and Copenhagen will be important in striking a new international deal, Mr. Johannessen said.
Our first priority should be to establish a long term goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The recent G8 meetings saw recognition of the need to keep global warming below 2 °C. If this is to be met, the active engagement of all major emitting countries is needed. Norway is flexible regarding the type of commitments for emerging economies, but emission reductions should be measurable, reportable and verifiable.
CO2 emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries contribute to about 17 per cent of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, Mr. Johannessen continued. A post 2012-regime needs to address this. All major emission sources must be included. Norway will increase its support for efforts to prevent deforestation in developing countries with three billion NOK a year, and has also proposed to include emissions from shipping in a new Copenhagen agreement.
As we move towards a low carbon economy, the development and deployment of emission reducing technologies will be important, Mr. Johannessen observed. Norway considers Carbon Capture and Storage a key mitigation technology. If applied on fossil fired power plants around the world, the technology could eliminate large quantities of CO2.
Both technology and financing will be important in sustaining mitigation efforts in developing countries. Significant and predictable financial resources must be mobilised to support necessary mitigation and adaptation action. Norway proposes an international auctioning of emission allowances to generate funds independent of national budgets.
The workshop was part of the Framework Agreement set up between the Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi and TERI. The Norwegian government attach great significance to the agreement worth 60 million NOK over a period of 5 years. The agreement supports research on global concerns of energy security and climate change through cooperation between TERI, Norwegian and other institutions.