So far Finland has agreed to contribute 100 million euros over three years for anti-climate change programmes in developing countries.
As current chair of the EU Sweden said it would like to see similar flexibility from other countries, so that an acute aid programme could be launched. However other EU members have not rushed to make similar commitments.
The EU will bankroll around 30 precent of the entire six-billion euro aid package from industrialized countries. Contributions to the acute aid package are voluntary, so new EU members are under no pressure to add to the kitty.
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said on Thursday that he intended to continue canvassing for contributors will continue until the required funding has been pledged.
The EU intends to stick to its previous commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by the year 2020, and by 30 percent if other industrialized countries agree. The United States has held to considerably more conservative goals with respect to emissions reduction.
One shadow over the meeting has been the French intention to re-open discussions on carbon sinks – to the detriment of countries like Finland. Prime Minister Vanhanen has already lodged an appeal against the French position.
