Brussels, 20/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - The Green Group at the Parliament and environmental, climate and citizens' NGOs have expressed concern at the idea that the European Council may decide, as it seems to be preparing to do on Friday 21 March, to go no further than to set a course for an agreement by the end of the year on the future framework for action in the field of climate and energy policies for 2030, with no detailed objectives, even though the European Commission's proposals are, in their view, completely inadequate (see EUROPE 11041). They therefore call on the heads of state and government of the member states to up their game, in order to give the EU the resources it needs to bring about its energy revolution for a sustainable economy, and to guarantee the success of international climate negotiations.
The MEP Yannick Jadot (Greens/EFA, France), who is a member of the committee on energy and industry, stressed the need for negotiations which are up to the level of the climate challenges. “The initial effects of climate change are making themselves felt throughout Europe today and Europe seems to be discovering the risks caused by its dependence and its energy wastage. Cynically, the United Kingdom and Poland are exploiting the Ukrainian crisis to impose expensive and highly polluting shale gas”, he said, criticising the gaps in the proposals tabled by the Commission. It is, he argued, therefore important for the European Council to mirror “the will of the member states to break with centralised energy logic and with the unacceptable stranglehold of the lobbies on our future energy and climate choices, and to support a genuine energy transition, for the benefit of the citizens, to generate jobs and protect our environment”.
In the view of the WWF, it is unthinkable that the heads of state and government could welcome the Commission's proposal (a 40% reduction in emissions, a European objective of 27% of energy from renewables with no national allocation key) as a good working basis, whilst postponing the real decisions. The NGO believes that, if this is the case, it would be a “further insult”, after the European Commission has already expressed its intention to come into line with the Council of the EU. And not to take clear, timely decisions ahead of the climate summit convened by Ban ki-moon, in New York on 23 September, would undermine the EU's position and create a negative dynamic in international discussions, the WWF observes. The NGO is calling for three binding objectives - a reduction of at least 45% in emissions of greenhouse gases compared to 1990 figures, a share of at least 45% for renewables in total energy consumption, and energy savings of at least 40%, with the burden to be shared among member states.
“Deferring any decision is in complete contradiction with the expectations of the European citizens and contradicts all scientific data on the devastating impact of climate change. This will prevent the necessary transition towards an industrial and economic revolution in Europe, which will be beneficial to people as well as the planet. Now is the time for the European leaders to assure Europe's future as a sustainable and leading economic power, or Europe will be exposed to years of climate inaction, stagnation and insecurity in the energy sector, environmental social losses and missed economic opportunities”, said Tony Long, director of the European office of WWF Europe.
A collective of NGOs (Friends of the Earth Europe, Climate Train, Climaxi, Corporate Europe Observatory, Klimaat en Socila Rechtvaardiheid, Medecine pour le Tiers monde, REScoop.eu) demonstrated on Thursday outside the building of the European Council to express people's frustration. Because, these NGOs argue, the draft framework for action to be debated for the first time at the highest political level respects neither scientific data nor climate justice, and will not make it possible to reduce Europe's dependence on polluting energies such as coal and shale gas. Compared to the objectives laid down for 2020, this proposal will ultimately slow down emissions reductions, they stress.
“The citizens are tired of the governments' inability and lack of willingness to transform our energy system. The political decision-makers of Europe must put an end to our dependency on fossil fuels and stop being under the thumb of the major polluting industries. The transition to a clean energy future can start with three binding objectives”, said Sonja Meister, the coordinator for climate justice and energy at Friends of the Earth Europe (FoE). The NGOs argue that what is needed for 2030 is a reduction in emissions of at least 60%, a binding energy efficiency objective of at least 50% and at least 45% for renewables. And the EU must provide financial and technical support to climate action in the developing countries. Only action on this scale will make it possible to bring about the energy transition needed to avoid the most devastating consequences of climate change. “Throughout Europe, the citizens are investing in energy transition. They are insulating their homes, installing solar panels. The governments have no choice but to take a leaf out of the book of citizens who are taking their energy future into their own hands”, said Dirk Vansintjan of Ecopower. (AN)