Brussels, 28/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - On the eve of the ministerial meeting of the International Energy Agency on 2 and 3 May, which, for the first time since the 1980s, will discuss measures to be taken to reduce the dependency of the world's economy on oil and which will be attended by the European Commissioner for Energy, Andris Piebalgs, the Greens of the European Parliament presented an action plan and measures on Thursday which could offset the negative consequences of the hike in oil prices in the short term.
Luxembourg member Claude Turmes, together with Rebecca Harms and Michael Cramer, presented the press with an “ambitious contribution to job creation, innovation and the challenge of sustainability”, pointing out that according to IEA figures, an increase of nearly 10% in oil prices will lead to a drop of 0.5% in GDP. The most pessimistic forecasts suggest that oil supply will no longer be able to cover demand by 2008- 2025 for the less pessimistic, Mr Turmes noted, anticipating that oil barrel prices could reach 100 dollars in the medium term. “The Commission and the energy ministers of the IEA seem to be struggling to pinpoint measures which may have a genuine impact on the reduction of oil consumption”, said Mr Turmes in his draft report. In the view of the Greens, neither nuclear power nor hydrogen are a suitable replacement for oil, which fuels 80% of the transport sector in Europe. It is this sector, therefore, which needs urgent solutions. The Greens are proposing “less radical measures” than those put forward by the IEA (such as drastic speed limits on motorways: EUROPE 8921), but which would have more of an impact, especially in the short term. “The Commission must take the lead to create a societal consensus to get Europe out of its dependency on oil”, said Ms Harms. The Greens have identified four areas for action:
1) Legislative measures with obligatory targets. This approach will involve creating a binding regulatory framework for the European automotive industry to encourage builders to reduce the average fuel consumption of new models of car, via a Community directive combining the flexibility of new standards in Californian legislation with targets approved in the Community voluntary action plans (agreement between the Commission and the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, ACEA, to reduce average fuel consumption and CO2 emissions). On top of this action will come maximum fuel consumption limits (a measure which has been taken in China, to ban vehicles which are seen as “technological dinosaurs”). It will also involve setting binding minimum targets for energy efficiency under the directive on energy services, and setting obligatory targets for the use of renewable energy and bio-fuels.
2) A “European Marshall plan” for energy funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB). In order to bring down demand for fuel in the transport sector, the urbanisation of cities must be “rethought”, innovative logistical solutions found and investment made in transforming modes of transport. Mr Turmes takes the view that a CARS 21 strategy should be included in a MOBILITY 21 strategy, developing an innovative transport services system creating many jobs. Mr Cramer said that road tolls also had an important part to play, in light of successful experiments in London and Switzerland. The energy efficiency of buildings also has a contribution to make, and the Greens recommend that the directive on the energy performance of buildings be applied from 2006 and for innovative architecture with modern and energy-efficient construction techniques be developed (cogeneration, biomass, thermal energy, solar energy). For each of these actions, the EIB must become heavily involved.
3) Investment in human resources. They recommend making the most of knowledge at all levels (investors, SMEs, architects and engineers) on the technology available on the market to reduce energy demand and produce renewable energy. The Greens believe that this could be done via the Intelligent Energy for Europe programme, as part of the Commission's programme for competitiveness and innovation (EUROPE 8923).
4) Reinforcement of energy dialogue with the high oil-consuming emerging powers such as Brazil, India and China, both to persuade them to use less energy and to ensure security of supply in Europe.