Brussels, 11/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - Reaching the aim of an 8% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2010-2012, compared to 1990, is possible for the Union "without imposing unreasonable costs", said Margot Wallström, European Environment Commissioner, on Monday. She was speaking in Brussels as she presented to the press the conclusions of the new report on the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP). The report analyses 40 measures envisaged, assesses their potential contribution to reducing the greenhouse gas effect, their cost-effectiveness, and the time it would take to implement them. It concludes that there are feasible, effective and cost-effective solutions, costing less than 20 euros/tonne of CO2 equivalent, and which would make it possible to reduce total emissions by around 664-765 million tonnes CO2 equivalent, or twice the size of the EU's required emission reduction under the Kyoto Protocol (336 million tonnes/CO2 equivalent). The EU has already reduced its emissions by 4% and has still to obtain a further reduction of 170 million tonnes/CO2 equivalent.
Margot Wallström said some of these measures are already scheduled to take place. She mainly mentioned the proposals of directives being prepared concerning a Community system for exchanging pollution permits, the energy performance of buildings, biofuels and energy efficient public procurement as well as a framework directive on fluorinated gases. These measures alone would allow a potential reduction of 240 million tonnes/CO2 equivalent, or 71% of the Union's commitment. Others measures are being prepared but are at a less advanced stage, such as directives on combined heat and power, energy services and minimum efficiency standards for electrical equipment, and revision of the IPPC directive. Finally, the report identifies the measures on which more work should be done: promotion of heat production from renewable energy sources, long-term agreements with energy intensive industries, fiscal measures for passenger cars, technological improvements for vehicles and fuels, etc.
Margot Wallström specified that the Union does not wish to implement these measures immediately but rather to show proof of good will. She said "we could be leading the way if we were to apply them from 2005". A conference on climate, on 2 and 3 July in Brussels, will make it possible to gather reactions to this report and, according to Ms Wallström, will be of enormous political importance for the international negotiations in Bonn (COP 6, mid July). Published just at the right moment to support the European Union in continuing its efforts in this field, the ECCP report is also a strong signal addressed to the Americans, just a few days away from the EU/US summit. It coincides with the presentation of the new "negotiating package" by Jan Pronk (COP 6 President) and the speech by President Bush, expected on Monday.
Set in place in June 2000 to identify the additional measures required for allowing the Union to meet its target, the ECCP is the result of consultation between all the players concerned: - NGOs, representatives of industry, and over 200 experts. The working groups (environment, transport, energy, enterprise, research and agriculture) to which it has given rise under the umbrella of several Directorates-General at the Commission are an example of "true sectoral integration", stressed the Commission.