Connie Hedegaard: The deadline works

"It is new and very encouraging that China comes forward internationally.

Now it is clear to the world: The Copenhagen deadline works. One by one, governments from all over the world are delivering before the climate conference next month. Last week, we saw concrete targets from Brazil and South Korea and Russia improved its bid. This week – until now – US and China have come forward. All across the globe, things are moving. This is good news. However, we must analyse more carefully what the new Chinese announcement translates to when it comes a percentage for deviation from business as usual.

Yesterday president Obama announced US targets, not only for 2020, but maybe more noticeable for 2025 and 2030. 4 percent below 1990 might not be what the world has been hoping for, but the US seems to know that  the price for coming late is that the pathway for reductions after 2020 will be extra steep with 18 % below 1990-levels in 2025 and 32 percent in 2030," said Connie Hedegaard.