Brussels, 07/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - The entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol on 16 February has highlighted the need to protect the climate and to save energy. MEP Peter Liese (Christian Democrat, Germany) welcomes this, but at the same time, he criticises the little attention which has, in his view, been given to a much-needed legislative instrument to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: the proposed directive of August 2003 establishing a framework for setting environmental requirements applicable to the design of energy-using products, such as heaters, electrical appliances, washing machines, computers and television (see EUROPE of 11 June 2004). This proposed framework directive will lay down general principles and criteria, leaving it up to the Commission and experts to set the technical standards for specific products (by comitology procedure). The parliamentary committee on industry and energy will take position on this text at second reading on 15 March (report by Frédérique Ries, ALDE, Belgium) to allow it to be voted on at the April plenary.
Speaking to a small group of journalists in Brussels on Thursday, Peter Liese, who is calling for the directive to be adopted as soon as possible, stressed the benefits of this promising piece of legislation for energy efficiency, but warned the Council and the European Commission against excessive red tape, which would condemn “an excellent idea” to failure.
“This is the most underestimated proposal of the Community legislative arsenal, as everyone's attention is directed to the REACH regulation on chemical products and by the directive on trading in greenhouse gas emissions, even though it represents enormous potential in terms of improving the environment. Implementing this directive will allow the EU to meet over 50% of its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol”, said the MEP, taking as his basis the estimations of the Commission, which puts at 180 million tonnes of CO2 the savings this framework directive could bring about.
The MEP's main criticism concerns the Council's requirement for businesses to be obliged, in the future, to carry out an analysis of the entire life-cycle of the product, before it can be marketed, taking account of all the environmental factors, and considering alternatives. This kind of requirement, said Peter Liese, is both counter-productive, because is detracts from the essential objective, which must be to increase energy efficiency, and impracticable for SMEs. “In the Parliament, we would like to concentrate on energy efficiency. We want ambitious technical standards, but which are simple and applicable to all businesses, rather than a new administrative jungle. We should be able to reach a reasonable solution”, he explained.
This reasonable solution consists of not losing sight of the “most important thing”, Mr Liese notes, pointing out that achieving the Kyoto objectives within the given time frame (2008-2012) calls for measures to be put into place as quickly as possible. Minimising energy wastage when equipment is in sleep mode is a simple technical solution, he commented.
The available time between 15 March and April will be used to avoid a conciliation procedure with the Council.