On the way to Copenhagen – Is the EU still playing a leadership role?

The UN climate conference in Copenhagen will be the most important 'eco-political' event in 2009. It is hoped that a follow-up agreement to the Kyoto Protocol will be agreed at this conference. Groundwork for Copenhagen has already been laid during the Poznan Conference in December 2008.

In the course of last year's December Summit, the European heads of state and government reached an agreement on the EU's position with regard to climate protection. While the European Union has demonstrated resolve to remain at the forefront of global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the outcome of the negotiations was diluted due to the economic and financial
crisis. Against this background it is questionable whether the EU will be able to uphold its claim to be in a leading position in the field of climate protection. The answer to this question will be of particular relevance in light of the upcoming UN climate conference in Copenhagen at the end of this year.

Dr Reinhard Loske, Bremen Senator for Environment, Construction and Transport as well as for European Affairs will analyse the results of the December Council from a 'green' perspective and give his opinion regarding the development of a Copenhagen agreement. Alongside Senator Loske, Klaus Milke, chairman of Germanwatch - a non-profit association in the field of North-South
relations, environment and trade -, will illustrate how the European decisions have been received outside of Europe.

Speakers:
- Dr Reinhard Loske, Senator for Environment, Construction, Transport and European Affairs, Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Germany (The Greens)
- Klaus Milke, Chairman of Germanwatch e.V. and Stiftung Zukunftsfähigkeit, Bonn

Chair:
Dr Helga Trüpel, Member of the European Parliament (The Greens)