26 October 2009

Climate change will affect human activity and livelihood in a variety of ways. Temperature increases, flooding, and water shortages can cause serious damage to human settlements, as well as to economic sectors such as agriculture, tourism, fisheries, and forests. Given these potentially devastating effects and the historical responsibility of the industrialized countries for emissions, the EU is obligated to support adaptation efforts in developing countries. This support should come in the form of public climate financing for adaptation projects as well as technological cooperation and capacity building. The challenge posed by climate change will require a green technology revolution. The Copenhagen agreement should establish international cooperation on and financing for research regarding environmentally sound mitigation and adaption technology. It should also lay out mechanisms for the transfer of skills, technological goods and equipment to developing countries, as well as provide for capacity-building in research and development. This new funding should particularly support projects that will provide technology to enhance the use of renewable energy sources, improve energy intensity of the global economy, and secure access to environmentally sustainable modern energy services in developing countries.