Discussion: Green backlash and taxing technology – Interview with COP30 Europe's Representative

With COP30 looming in the Brazilian city of Belém in November, climate discussions are heating up around the globe. One of the key figures leading the charge is Laurence Tubiana, a key architect of the 2015 Paris accord and the special envoy to Europe for COP30.

The battle in the EU is crucial, as the US has not always been a stable partner in climate discussions. The US remains engaged but has yet to fully implement its commitments under the Paris Agreement, and ongoing trade tensions with the EU reflect broader strategic challenges. This cautious and complex stance influences expectations for COP30, highlighting the need for renewed bilateral and multilateral cooperation to advance climate goals effectively.

Tubiana hopes Brazil can revive some of the Paris spirit, getting nations to commit to implementing the 2015 deal to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Other special envoys appointed by Brazil include New Zealand's former prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, and Brazilian world record-holding big wave surfer Maya Gabeira.

The current energy consumption of the crypto world is significant, and the discussion of imposing taxes on cryptocurrencies is a topic that the government needs to consider due to its regulatory implications. Tubiana suggests that it's a good idea to open the discussion about taxes for crypto. The text does not mention any specific government or region in relation to the discussion of taxes, only that it's a topic the government has to regulate.

The digital economy's demand on the energy sector is growing rapidly, and the energy consumption of AI is not explicitly mentioned in the text but the discussion of taxes suggests potential concerns about its energy demands. The idea of imposing taxes on AI is another potential topic for discussion.

The discussion about imposing taxes on energy-hungry tech like AI and cryptocurrencies is not yet realistic but could become so in the future. Tubiana believes the idea that the public is against the environment is a fabricated message and values can be instrumentalized to distort reality. Movements in the suburbs of Paris, Lyon, and Strasbourg advocating for climate policies due to the impact of climate change further underscore the importance of these discussions.

The fossil fuel sector's growing influence and the resulting polarization in negotiations is a new factor in COP discussions. Tubiana emphasizes the need to combat this influence and work towards a more united front in the fight against climate change.

As we approach COP30, the focus is on enforcement and implementation of the Paris Agreement. The agreement, excluding the US, hasn't been challenged and sticking to the framework is the best they can have for the moment. Tubiana's role as special envoy to Europe for COP30 will be instrumental in ensuring that the EU plays a leading role in this global effort.

Discussion: Green backlash and taxing technology – Interview with COP30 Europe's Representative