The report, titled Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability and released today at a press conference in Japan, details the impacts of climate change to date, the future risks from a changing climate, and the opportunities for effective action to reduce risks
In response, Milan Nitzschke, the president of EU ProSun, slammed recent government policy that has come into force as the European market has fallen behind its Asian rivals. Nitzschke said, "It's unbelievable. For years, the EU discussed climate goals and independence from energy imports but when it comes to concrete measures, they are actually moving backwards. The EU has now put forward a proposal for environmental and energy state-aid guidelines that would effectively end most funding support mechanisms throughout Europe."
He added, "It is in our own interest to go further to promote renewable energies and energy saving measures against climate change. Worldwide, the demand for clean energy technology is increasing dramatically. In recent years, the European solar industry has lost numerous players due to Asian dumping of solar panels at below their cost of production to capture market share. Nevertheless, EU's solar manufacturers remain global leaders in technology. Almost all new innovations in solar power used around the world, are still developed in Europe.
Last week, pv magazine reported that EU ProSun was intending to appeal to the European Court of Justice following reports that the minimum EU prices for crystalline solar modules from China were set by 1 April to fall by three cents per watt.
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The association, which is administered by SolarWorld, has been extremely vocal about the lack of state support for the renewables industry. Its website lists a number of measures that it wishes to be taken, particularly in the area of Europe-China trade when it comes to solar panels. Railing against what it calls illegal trade distoring practices, its website says, EU ProSun supports free trade of solar panels without illegal government intervention favouring one country above another. Legal robust competition will allow for long-term gains in efficiency and affordability of solar panels.
Chris Field, co-chair of Working Group II, which produced the report, said, Climate-change adaptation is not an exotic agenda that has never been tried. Governments, firms, and communities around the world are building experience with adaptation. This experience forms a starting point for bolder, more ambitious adaptations that will be important as climate and society continue to change.
Climate Change 2014 was assembled by 309 coordinating lead authors and review editors, 436 contributing authors, and 1,729 expert and government reviewers. The Working Group I report was released in September 2013, and the Working Group III report will be released in April 2014. The IPCC Fifth Assessment Report cycle concludes with the publication of its Synthesis Report in October 2014.
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