Luxembourg, 15/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - The new national emissions reduction targets for certain atmospheric pollutants proposed for the European Commission for 2030 are proving problematic for most EU member states, environment ministers, meeting in Luxembourg, confirmed on Monday 15 June. However, the Presidency of the Council and the European Commission now have a clearer view on things and can be assured of the support of the member states in moving forward towards solutions (see EUROPE 11331).
The Environment Council's policy debate - the second of its kind - on the proposal for the Clean Air for Europe programme seeking to amend Directive 2003/35/EC on national emissions ceilings (the NEC directive) gave ministers the opportunity to give an indication of their difficulties and also to confirm that they all subscribe to the key objective of reducing the annual 400,000 premature deaths due to atmospheric pollution by more than half (52%). They all also expressed their willingness to find solutions.
The text sets new emissions reduction commitments on sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and ammonia (NH3) which are currently covered by the NEC directive for 2030, with intermediate goals by 2025.
The call for ambitious and realistic targets, flexibility and account to be taken of national situations was constant throughout the debate. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe thought the targets were unattainable and even called for them to be made indicative - out of the question for the Commission. Sweden and France were among the few delegations to have spoken to back the proposals unreservedly. Sweden made the point that atmospheric pollution brought enormous costs to our societies compared to the limited efforts to be made on reducing pollution. France argued that strong measures were needed to tackle this cross-border issue, with all member states firmly involved. The level of the binding targets for 2020 and 2030 is on a par, it said, with what is at stake.
The aim of Latvian minister Kaspars Gerhards, chairing the meeting for the last time, was to clarify matters in order to make progress on post-2030 targets. In this, it was mission accomplished.
The work done at expert level and the national analyses carried out since the June 2014 Council (see EUROPE 10987), along with the Latvian Presidency proposal that methane (CH4) be removed from the scope of the text all contributed to a constructive debate. Discussions will, nevertheless, have to continue under the Luxembourg presidency before negotiations can be opened with the European Parliament with a view to the first reading agreement ardently hoped for by the European Commission. Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella hopes that “inter-institutional negotiations to find a compromise can be opened in September”. The Commission is reserving its position while awaiting the Parliament position, he said, giving the assurance that “the Commission is ready to offer its assistance in calming concerns and building bridges between the co-legislators”.
“This is an important milestone in the policy for improving air quality. It transposes the commitment made by the EU at international level, transposes the Göteborg Protocol. The EU made a commitment on initial targets for five pollutants to be achieved by 2020 and on long-term objectives: from 2030 to pave the way for achievement of the objectives of the 7th Environmental Action Programme (7th EAP)”, stated the Council president, opening the debate.
Commissioner Vella said that last spring's pollution spike should serve as a reminder to all that atmospheric pollution is a risk both to health and to the environment “particularly in large cities where cross-border sources represent 60% of concentration levels - showing that this problem can only satisfactorily be addressed at Community level”. Since the text proposed offered, in his view, “cost effective measures”, he hoped that the Council would “send a clear political message to the institutions and also to citizens, letting it be understood that the problem is being taken seriously”.
Following the debate, the commissioner was happy. “Ministers are prepared to increase efforts to reach an agreement. Many underlined the need to re-discuss specific national situations. We don't want to avoid this matter so, by the end of summer, we will receive arguments supported by concrete information. However, we cannot afford to become bogged down in continual analysis. Many concerns could be taken into account”, he said.
On the other hand, he said, indicative targets for 2030 “would strip the policy (for clean air in Europe) of its whole content”.
To reassure the delegations keen on a proper balance between emissions reductions objectives and economic objectives, he pointed out that “our environmental policy has demonstrated that it is possible to decouple economic growth and pollution. We can launch a call for green growth”. To those who are worried about the average costs of the measures for their fellow citizens, he gave assurances that the Commission stands ready, with the member states, to seek “solutions that will ensure air quality for all”. The Commission is also open to the call made by a number of delegations for a review clause, “so long as it doesn't further dilute the well-defined objectives that bring investment in the green economy”. The Luxembourg Presidency has already been assured by Vella of the support of the European Commission in its efforts on this issue (our translation throughout). (Aminata Niang)