Brussels, 11/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - Accounting for EU emissions from forestry and agriculture should be mandatory, based on robust rules and should not create any more bureaucracy for farmers and forestry managers, explained MEPs at the Environment Committee, chaired by Mathias Groote (S&D, Germany). On Wednesday 10 October MEPs obtained a large majority (36 votes in favour, 13 against and one abstention) in a first reading on the draft land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) legislation. Their support, however, for this project goes further than that proposed by the European Commission because it recommends that CO2 emissions in wetlands are also subject to compulsory accounting in the future.
Kriton Arsenis (S&D, Greece), the rapporteur, was delighted with this ambitious vote on the text, which is aimed at transposing the agreement concluded last December in Durban during international climate negotiations (COP 17) into international law. She declared that, “I am pleased that we are one step closer to accounting for emissions from land based activities on forests, agriculture and wetlands. By going further than the bare minimum international requirements, the EU can show real leadership and commitment to our global partners in the fight against climate change".
The Environment Committee says the legislation should require member states to account for emissions and removals not only in forestry - as agreed at international level - but also in management of land for crops and grazing. Wetlands should also be included within a year after IPCCC guidelines are set for these. MEPs also want member states to prepare LULUCF Action Plans to describe and project trends for emissions and removal of greenhouse gases. The plans should also analyse the potential to curb emissions and increase removals and set out the policies and timetable for action. (AN/trans.fl)