Brussels, 21/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - Climate preparations, sustainable resource management, green growth and reducing the pressure on the environment are the main priorities of the Latvian Presidency in terms of the environment, set out by minister Kaspars Gerhards for the European Parliament's environment committee, chaired by Giovanni La Via (EPP, Italy), on Wednesday 21 January (see EUROPE 11224). While MEPs agreed with these priorities and welcomed the determination shown by Gerhards, who will chair the Environment Council, to make progress on both the internal and external chapters of the climate agenda and so contribute to the success of the Paris climate conference (COP 21, December 2015), many called on him to state what the Latvian Presidency intends exactly to do and expressed alarm at the uncertainty hanging over the future of the legislative packages on the circular economy, which is felt to be vital for the green economy, and clean air for Europe, vital for public health (see EUROPE 11232).
In the course of discussions, Gerhards provided clarification on a number of matters.
Climate/energy framework 2020-2030. Defining the EU's offer of contribution is “one of the most important issues for the Presidency”. The Commission has begun legislative work. The informal Environment Council (in Riga on 14-15 April) will let discussions get under way. To those who asked what the EU can do domestically to achieve a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030 (compared with 1990), Gerhards replied: improve the ETS, make progress on renewable energy and iLUC legislation.
COP 21. Gerhards is of the opinion that the Lima conference delivered answers to many questions, thanks to coordination. “We are ready to work actively in Geneva and Bonn to coordinate positions. We are awaiting the European Commission document. Along with the future Luxembourg Presidency, we will do all we can to achieve success. France, too, is heavily committed”, he said.
Air quality. To reassure MEPs, Gerhards noted that the Council of the EU is paying the greatest of attention to this issue. “It is very important for the EU and for health to devote all the importance it deserves to air quality. The Presidency will take things forward. The member states must also make efforts to implement existing legislation”, he argued.
Circular economy/waste management. Council chairman Gerhards indicated that he wanted discussions to continue on the basis of the proposal on the table. He told those who remained unconvinced of the level of ambition shown by Commission first Vice-President Frans Timmermans that “at the Environment Council in December, many delegations said that progress had to be made. The Latvian Presidency is keen to work actively as soon as the new proposal is presented”. This proposal is expected between now and 2016. “The Commission vice-president is short-sighted. He claims that this is a green policy when it is about the economy. It is an opportunity that has been given to us”, claimed Karl-Heinz Florenz (EPP, Germany).
TTIP. “With the EU having environmental standards that are among the toughest in the world and among the best, they must be a red line in the negotiations”, stated Gerhards.
Biodiversity. This issue will be discussed at the informal Council in April.
Cloning. When pressed to state whether he could be satisfied with legislation that contains no obligation to label food products from cloned animals or from the offspring of cloned animals, the Latvian minister gave assurances that “the Latvian Presidency will work to find a compromise to prevent our finding ourselves in the same situation as in 2011. We are ready and willing to work with the Parliament” (see EUROPE 11204) (our translation throughout). (AN)