Brussels, 03/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - As the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU has pledged to be a “trustworthy” Presidency and tackle the economic problems of the EU, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) is keen to ensure that the solutions to the economic crisis put the EU on the path towards a greener economy and do not worsen the environmental problems of Europe, the Bureau announced on 2 July, the day of the publication of the traditional “10 green tests” laying down the 10 key expectations of the NGOs in the field of the environment and in the light of which the Presidency in exercise will be judged when its six months at the helm of the EU come to an end.
“The Lithuanians come to the helm at a difficult time. However, if they are creative they can move towards fixing the economic and environmental crises together”, says Jeremy Wates, Secretary General of the EEB. The fight against climate change as a vector for sustainable development will be the key priority in the short space of time standing between the international community and the 19th conference of the parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 19, Warsaw, November), and the EEB expects the incoming Presidency to build on the change of stance announced by the United States with their international plan to fight climate change, in order to move towards the conclusion of an international agreement guaranteeing that cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 are based on the most recent scientific recommendations, making it possible to respect the 2°C objective.
The EEB is also confident that an agreement is possible on climate-changing F-gases, such as hydrofluorocarbons, provided that the Lithuanian Presidency succeeds in achieving a common position close to the European Parliament environment committee's. A deal that would see the banning of such gases where alternatives exist would be good for the climate but also for the economy, which stands to be boosted by the investment in European SMEs producing natural alternatives, the broad network of NGOs stresses.
The Lithuanian Presidency also has a key role to play in guaranteeing that the exploration of shale gases does not become an excuse for Europe to prolong its addiction to fossil fuels, the EEB stresses, pointing out that there are a great many economic and environmental risks linked to the exploration of these gases. The 10 green tests are: 1) promoting sustainable development; 2) halting climate change; 3) saving energy; 4) improving the directive on assessing environmental impact; 5) ensuring marine protection in the Baltic sea; 6) defending high-level environmental standards within international bodies; 7) protecting the public from dangerous chemicals; 8) supporting the development of an ambitious package for air quality, particularly with the revision of the thematic strategy of the EU expected for the autumn; 9) preserving nature and biodiversity; 10) promoting better environmental governance. (AN/transl.fl)