Brussels, 15/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament (EP) has given its full backing to the roadmap for moving to a low-carbon economy by 2050, which means reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% (compared with 1990 levels) by that date, with intermediate stepping stones (40% by 2030 and 60% by 2040) on the way. With their strong support in passing the own initiative report by Chris Davies (ALDE, UK) by 398 votes to 132, with 104 abstentions, MEPs expressed their belief that it is possible and viable to make the economy less dependent on fossil fuels and more competitive. They also repeated that the current target of a 20% reduction in EU emissions by 2020 is “not a cost-efficient pathway” to deeper cuts that must be made in the light of climate change.
“The more we do now, the easier it will be in the future. Either we take a lead in promoting a low-carbon economy or we get left behind. This is an opportunity to promote investment and stimulate technological innovation. It will leave Europe stronger, not weaker”, Davies said after the vote.
MEPs recognise that the EU's emissions trading scheme (ETS), the main instrument for reducing industrial emissions and helping green investment, needs to be improved to make it more effective, for example through a possible “set aside” of pollution permits, generous allocation of which has brought a sharp dip in the price of carbon. To that end, they call on the Commission to bring forward a proposal to make the necessary adjustments.
They believe, too, that, despite third country discontent at aviation being included in the ETS, the ETS directive must be fully implemented and call on the European Commission to make sure that it is. The best solution remains, however, an ICAO international agreement, they say.
Parliament welcomes the draft energy efficiency directive. It says that electricity generation has to be “decarbonised” and that legally binding targets for renewable energy have to be proposed for 2030. MEPs call on the Commission to propose specific measures to reduce emissions from agriculture and also back accounting measures and targets for other land use, affecting issues such as sustainable biofuels production and forestry. Parliament also supports the aim of the roadmap to cut emissions from the transport sector by 60% by 2050: MEPs say the Commission must press ahead and propose legislation to curb shipping emissions in the EU if no international agreement is reached.
Speaking on behalf of the S&D Group, Jo Leinen (Germany) welcomed the clear signal sent out by the EP in support of the roadmap. “We regret the short-term position expressed by Poland at the Council meeting last week, veto-ing this long-term plan presented by the Commission (see EUROPE 10572). The future of Europe depends on an efficient, sustainable and competitive use of energy”, he said. Roman Jordan (Slovenia), the EPP Group rapporteur, said that this vote “confirmed that our future lies in the development of clean technologies and sustainable rural development. It is high time to indicate guidelines for the period after 2020 and to encourage investment in sustainable technologies”.
The Parliament resolution was adopted on the same day as the OECD presented its report, “Environmental Outlook to 2050: the consequences of inaction” which presents the latest projections of socio-economic trends for the next four decades and their implications for climate change, biodiversity, water and health. “Greening agriculture, water and energy supply and manufacturing will be critical by 2050 to meet the needs of over nine billion people”, stated OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria. (AN/transl.rt)