Brussels, 29/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - Initially scheduled for 21 June in Luxembourg, the next Environment Council, which will have international climate talks and the question of carbon leakage on its agenda, may be brought forward to 11 June.
This will be the case if one assumes that the European Commission will, by 28 May, present its communication on the economic impact and options of increasing CO2 emissions from 20 to 30% by 2020 compared to 1990 (EU unilateral objective, whatever the outcome of international talks on post-2013). The communication would also cover the assessment of the situation of EU industrial sectors exposed to a significant risk of carbon leakage, to be referred to the European Council on 17 and 18 June (EUROPE 10127 and 10124).
This was made clear by the Spanish EU Presidency on Wednesday 28 April meeting within the Committee of Permanent Representatives of EU member sates (Coreper). If one assumes that the communication of the European Commission, which is currently the subject of interservice consultation, will not be ready for adoption by the College on 28 May, it is not for now known when and even if the Environment Council may be held before the European Council.
Connie Hedegaard, who, on 26 April, announced to members of the EP environment committee that the Environment Council of 11 June must be aware of the implications of reducing emissions from 20 to 30%, stuck her neck out a little, expressing her hope that she would be able to present this communication to the College of Commissioners by 28 May. (A.N./transl.jl)