10/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament's Environment Committee (chaired by Caroline Jackson, EPP-ED, UK) approved on Tuesday the European Commission's proposed new system for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. By 16 to 14, the MEPs supported an amendment to Guide Sacconi's report (PES, Italy) whereby Member States would have the option of selecting 1990 (rather than 1995) as the reference year when measuring emission reductions. This would have the advantage of rewarding the particular efforts made by some Member States, particularly France and Finland. The European Commission opposes the amendment on the grounds that it would hold up the legislative process.