Brussels.18/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - The way is clear for the swift ratification by the EU and its member states of the Doha amendment relating to the Kyoto Protocol second commitment period (from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2020). In Brussels on Wednesday 17 December, the Environment Council gave unanimous approval to the legislative package needed for ratification.
The Council adopted a decision on the signing, on behalf of the EU, of the agreement under the terms of which the EU and its member states on the one hand, and Iceland on the other pledge jointly to reduce their reference year emissions by 80% during the second commitment period. It also confirmed its approval of the text of the agreement and recommended to the Parliament that it approve the agreement before the Council formally concludes it.
Gian Luca Galletti, the outgoing Council president, thanked the member states for so speedily giving the go-ahead, only a few days after the UN conference in Lima (COP 20). Swift ratification, in 2015, of this amendment will enhance the credibility of the EU and its member states for the next stage of the talks that, it is hoped, will result in conclusion of a global climate agreement in Paris in a year's time (COP 21, December 2015). (AN)