Brussels, 12/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - EU27 environment ministers have welcomed as a first step in the right direction the Commission's proposal aimed at creating harmonised rules for measuring the contribution made by forestry and land use to combating climate change (see EUROPE 10572 and 10562). However, they believe the dossier deserves to be looked at in greater depth. That was the main lesson to be drawn from the Environment Council's policy debate on the progressive approach endorsed by the Commission (harmonised accounting rules are a first stage towards including the two sectors in the EU's climate commitments) and on the national action plans that it recommends for each accounting period, in order to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon absorption.
Martin Lidegaard, Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Construction, who chaired the session, said the debate was “constructive” adding: “It is important that all sectors contribute to reducing our overall reduction of greenhouse gases. Member states agree that the proposal is an important first step in strengthening the climate mitigation in the forestry and land use sectors.”
When it comes to the second stage, i.e. the participation of both sectors in the binding objective of reducing EU emissions (20% by 2020 compared to 1990 levels), opinions differ. Some delegations call for inclusion as soon as possible, while others believe it would be appropriate to await new commitments or review of the EU commitment currently on the table (the 30% target is subject to comparable commitments by other parties in international talks).
Although the majority of ministers recognise the importance of increasing the mitigation potential of the two sectors concerned, and to increase the visibility of efforts made by farms and forestry, many delegations stressed that the sector must not be considered on its own but as part of an integrated approach allowing synergies between the various relevant policies to be used at the level of the EU and at international level. Some sounded a note of caution against pointless red tape or duplication, and many delegations invoked the principle of subsidiarity, considering that no one is better placed than the member states themselves to decide on the most suitable measures to be taken. (AN/transl.jl)