EU and big polluters ignore climate action - pushing to expand carbon markets at COP19 - PRESS RELEASE

Brussels, 7th November 2013.

The EU aims to expand carbon markets that would benefit big polluters at the UN climate talks, COP19 in Poland, says a statement signed by 130+ groups, movements and networks. The Statement denounces the corporate capture of COP19 by the same companies that stand to profit.[i]

Read the statement here:  COP 19 Climate Capture: Stop the corporate takeover and expansion of carbon markets now!

“The European Commission and the carbon crooks who turn profits from the failing EU ETS are pushing for a lifeline through linking up markets, foreshadowing a global carbon market,” stated Tamra Gilbertson from Carbon Trade Watch.[ii]

COP19 partners, explains the statement, include Polish energy group PGE, whose Belchatow coal-fired plant was the biggest polluter and the biggest recipient of free allowances in 2012.[iii] “ COP19 will be the most extreme case of corporate capture we have seen within the COP,” according to Belén Balanyá from Corporate Europe Observatory, “The Polish government has granted partner status to eleven companies, among them climate culprits with horrendous track records –  such as ArcelorMittal, the biggest beneficiary from the EU ETS, and auto maker BMW – who are blocking EU's attempts to reduce emissions from cars for decades.”

The statement highlights the links between the Polish Ministery of Economy and the coal industry, who are organising a Coal and Climate Summit in parallel to the climate talks. “The cooperation between the coal industry and the Polish government is blatant” says Maxime Combes from Attac France, “they have drafted a communiqué promoting coal as a solution to the climate crisis. Coal is one of the dirtiest energy sources, fuelling climate change.”  Rather than consuming coal and fossil fuels, EU countries should enable a just transition to a post-fossil fuel society. It is time to scrap the ETS and other attempts to commodify nature, time to leave fossil fuels and minerals in the ground, and time to start a real transition towards just and people-driven alternatives.

For more information contact

-Tamra Gilbertson, Carbon Trade Watch (Spain 0034 625498083)

- Belén Balanyá, Corporate Europe Observatory (Netherlands 0031(0)6 33090386)

- Lyda Fernanda Forero, Transnational Institute (Netherlands 0031(0) 685086340)