Copenhagen Summit - EU Leadership, US Support and its Implications

Andrew Stein - In the spring of 2009, US and EU representatives participated in the Prague Summit to discuss numerous foreign policy issues, including significant reform and funding for environmental relief.  Among the most vocal heads of state in favor of the programs was German Chancellor Angela Merkel. But, as Christian Schwagerl pointed out in Spiegel Online, Merkel has recently been quoted as saying she will not be as generous with her financial support as she originally voiced.

 

So what does this have to do with US-EU relations? Although climate change is currently a “hot topic” internationally, there is heavy skepticism regarding global policy in the United States. In short, climate change is a much more profound topic in Europe than the US. With all that has crumbled in the foreign policy programs between the US and Europe (for example, deterring Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, policies on combating terrorism, and trade relations), would this not be the perfect topic to take a step in the right direction? If Merkel were to maintain a strong commitment to the ideas drafted at Copenhagen in the spring, it is sure that fellow European Union members would follow her lead. With a strong EU presence in the climate change discussion, there would be major pressure on President Obama to tend to these discussions as well and offer support for these programs.

 

An EU presence (in the upcoming December Copenhagen Summit) might serve as a moderating influence. As Schwagerl also points out, the stage is set for a dispute over CO2 emissions between China and the world’s poorer nations and the US and the world’s richer nations. Chinafeels the West is responsible for more CO2 emissions over history but the US feels China and India are quickly rising in the category. EU leadership is vital to stabilizing the debates over emissions because the result of these programs being put forth will benefit both sides of the argument. Significant EU leadership on this issue could provide the impetus for the US to follow their lead and nations like China would see this as a sign of the US taking responsibility and likely end the debates on emissions.

 

With an official US-EU Summit scheduled for today, November 3^rd, Merkel seems to be taking her opportunity seriously. She pleaded with the American Congress to “meet the challenges of the 21^st Century,” and provided examples on how global warming and climate change is immediately affecting the global community. Merkel, the EU, and Obama have one of the most important opportunities a month from now in Copenhagen to right the wrongs that have led to global warming and slow down the process that is rapidly forging forward.