Brussels, 01/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - The Paris meeting on 31 January in Brussels of the world's greatest scientific experts (intergovernmental panel on climate change) was able focus on climate change. Many speakers referred to the alarming analysis of these experts (expected out on 2 February) and underlined the seriousness of the phenomenon. They called for urgent EU action to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions so that it could continue to play a driving force in international negotiations for stepping up the fight against global warming after 2012. Stavros Dimas, Commissioner for the Environment stated that climate change was happening and citizens expected the EU to play a leading role. He affirmed that the Stern report and the Commission communication for after 2012 provided economic justification for action. Dimas asserted that the risks inherent in climate change far outweighed costs to take action against it. The commissioner said that the time had come to take decisions for getting Europe and the world on track for the future from a point of view of energy supply and “a low carbon content future”. According to the commissioner, the package of integrated measures on energy and the climate, presented by the Commission on 10 January (EUROPE 9341), constituted a programme for a European strategy that would help attain the EU's long term objective (reduce global warming by 2 degrees Celsius compared to that of the pre-industrial level, as the UN Framework Convention on climate change outlines). This package also contains “basic elements for an international agreement” on fighting global warming after 2012 and provides a “clear signal about the level of ambition required”. Mr Dimas averred that 30% less in emissions from industrialised countries was the objective the EU would pursue in these international negotiations, and at least 20% less as the EU's unilateral aim. The commissioner said that this would provide a “serious kick-start” to commitments from developed countries and other contributions from developing countries in an effort to make good the difference between words and deeds. The commissioner said that he is expecting a “strong signal on the need for determined action and the crucial link between energy policy and climate change” at the European Council on 8-9 February. He also said that he was expecting support for the two Commission proposed objectives and support from the European Parliament.
Sigmar Gabriel, the German minister for the environment (and acting president of the Council) explained to the parliamentary committee on the environment on 23 January that the problem of energy and climate was a priority of the German presidency of the Council, as was environmental protection and nuclear safety (EUROPE 9350). The president said that all the confidence he had in new technologies, particularly second generation bio-fuels, could help Europe meet two main challenges: limit global warming and provide the world with energy. “It's a question of justice. Africa is not responsible for global warming, but is already suffering the consequences of this evolution…If we continue to expend energy resources and raw materials, we will soon need two planets…After the oil, we'll be fighting for water. It's a challenge for humanity”. The commissioner also explained that what counted for Europe was “not missing this historic opportunity for a pioneering policy”. The president highlighted the need for ambitious international goals and said that a -30% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020 is not everything. The question that needs posing is “how to get temperature rises to below 2 degrees Celsius”.
Peter Liese (EPP-ED, Germany) declared, “We are in favour of an ambitious climate strategy that goes further than the Kyoto Protocol. We will have to work towards the 30% reduction target by 2020 and its implementation at a global level”. According to Liese, it will be necessary to revise the Community's emission quota exchange system to establish “uniform criteria for emission quantities that factories can generate”. The MEP also criticised the “imprecise objective” proposed by the European Commission for renewable energies.
Francis Würtz (GUE, France) appealed for a lucid and motivating message to be addressed to European citizens that highlighted the alarming situation, and the fact that the EU would not reach the “already very insufficient” Kyoto commitments, as well as the fact that it was possible to reverse this trend, at the cost of a real revolution with substantial growth of clean energy share but also with a new energy efficiency ratio in order to achieve a 50% reduction in emissions worldwide and 75% in developed countries by 2050. The communist MEP also floated the idea of inviting Dr Pauchary, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Expert Group on Climate Change, to a public hearing at the European Parliament.
Johannes Blokland (IND/DEM, NL) called on the EU to give up fossil fuels and asked how likely it was that the Commission's tactic would be a success. This tactic aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% for industrialised countries and by at least 20% for the EU, to leave a margin of manoeuvre in negotiations. Guido Sacconi (PES, Italy) called for a qualitative political leap, saying: “Europe has reached a historic point. We will see this year or next whether or not we are capable of going up a gear. We should have an alliance of European institutions - even an alliance of parliaments around the world - to discuss this issue and make it an international priority”.
At the initiative of the Group of European Socialists, a temporary committee on climate change could be set up. According to Martin Schulz, who presides the group, the idea received support from EPP-ED representatives. It has now to be put into effect.
The draft resolution voted by the parliamentary committee on the environment on 30 January calls on the EU to set itself the aim of reducing emissions by 30% by 2020, with a view to reaching a reduction of about 80% in 2050. It will be up to the Parliament to take a stance on this subject during its plenary session in February, in Strasbourg.
CO2 emissions from cars: Sigmar Gabriel argues against attacks on
German government and Council presidency
In response to Rebecca Harms (Greens, UK) accusing Germany of torpedoing the attempt made by Commissioner Dimas to make it an obligation for the motor industry to meet a target set some time ago (120 gm/km by 2012) for reduction of CO2 emissions, Sigmar Gabriel did not beat about the bush. He said the German government's position was perfectly clear and one should not put the wrong words in the German Council presidency's mouth. “The German presidency cannot take a position as the Commission has not yet made a proposal, and because no debate has yet been held in Council. The federal government's point of view is that, if one renounces a voluntary commitment, then one must have legislation, and that, if the industry has set itself the target of 120 gm/km in 2012, then that is what it must keep to. The German government is convinced that this average objective for all vehicles can be reached through improved automobile technology and the contribution of biofuels. I therefore call for a debate to be held in all serenity”, the Council president insisted. (an)