Brussels, 21/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - The EU environment ministers' unanimous agreement reached on 20 February on the 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for all industrialised countries in the world by 2020 (compared to 1990) and the unilateral commitment of at least a 20% reduction for the European Union in the same time frame, including 60%-80% reductions by 2050 (EUROPE 9370), constitutes a major step forward by the Environment Council. The tough line taken by the German presidency has been crowned with success and has completely satisfied the European Commission.
Sigmar Gabriel, the German minister chairing the session informed the press that he welcomed this “historic decision” that sent out a clear message to both the EU and world as a whole: “We are indicating to all investors that climate protection will intensify after 2012. Failure in international negotiations will not compromise the action of the EU. As part of the Kyoto Protocol, we had an 8% reduction target for emissions between 2008-12. We are now committed to -20% in 2020. The question of fair distribution of effort among member states is undoubtedly essential but we will not let go”.
This proclaimed success has been tempered by the decision of environment ministers to stick to (government objectives make this obligatory) the position of their counterparts working on energy (EUROPE 9367) and aim for a 20% target in renewable energies by 2020 (without any other precisions) and a 10% imperative for biofuels. The disappointed president stressed that, “this is a political but not binding objective for renewable energies”. The German presidency, however, has not had its last word and will put the issue back on the table of Heads of state and governments during the European Council on 8-9 March.
Stavros Dimas the Commissioner for the environment said, “I deplore the fact that environment ministers have not been able to agree on a binding objective. I hope that the European summit will make a strong commitment”. Dimas is, however, delighted with the “very ambitious objectives for the EU's contribution to the global fight against climate change”. He said, “30% is a benchmark for a worldwide agreement so that climate change does not become too dangerous. We will negotiate with the other countries and, to convince the United States and other partners, we are going to set an example through unilateral commitment until 2020. We have to start negotiations in 2007 and conclude them by the end of 2009, otherwise there will be a vacuum after the expiry of the commitments of the Kyoto Protocol”.
The central points of the conclusions adopted on this issue are picked up in the Environment Council's contribution to the Spring Summit. The Council says that the EU will only commit to 30% if the other industrialised countries commit themselves to comparable emission reductions and the most economically advanced developing countries make a contribution that is in line with their respective responsibilities and capabilities. The same goes for the essential points of the Energy and Climate package to promote energy efficiency, and renewable energy, including 10% sustainable and efficient biofuels. Only biofuels that are good for the environment must be selected, the Commissioner said. He added that the new draft directive on fuel quality was also in this direction for a win-win market, ensuring energy independence and progress towards a low carbon economy. Member states can expect a Commission proposal on the use of carbon capture and storage technology.
Motor cars: no general agreement on reliance on biofuels to reach 120g CO² by 2020
Speaking about the Council's first exploratory debate on a more radical strategy for reducing CO² emissions from passenger cars - another major contribution to climate protection - President Gabriel welcomed the fact that ministers unanimously felt that “it is time for legislation, voluntary commitments not being enough in themselves” to reach the average target of 120g/km per car by 2020. The delegations were, however, divided over the usefulness of taking into consideration the use of biofuels in this calculation, some believing the objective could be achieved through engine technology alone. “I argued against too much pessimism if we want to be consistent with the conclusions on climate change. We have to develop synthetic biofuels which do not compete with foodstuffs or protection of the environment, incentives are needed to promote market interest and massive investment to gradually replace fossil fuels with biofuels. This is why the Commission's plan is a good one”¸ declared Sigmar Gabriel.
Disappointed ecologists call for spring summit to set higher standard
Environmental NGOs are a long way from sharing the Commission and presidency's enthusiasm about the medium and long term green house gas emission reduction targets. Mahi Sidseridou, the director for energy policy at the Greenpeace European unit declared: “We happily welcome the 30% emission cut proposed for the EU and for developed countries for 2020. Ministers have listened to the science and made a leap forward in addressing the climate crisis. But to then suggest a meagre 20% unilateral EU emissions cut, while admitting this is inadequate and that a 30% cut will be necessary, is a bizarre discrepancy. The March summit will need to rectify the gap between what the EU recognises it must do to protect us from the worse impacts of climate change and what it is prepared to commit to doing now: EU leaders must support a 30% unilateral domestic EU reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020”.
The Friends of the Earth Europe NGO would only say that environment ministers, “attempt a progressive stance on climate but forget that reform starts at home”. The NGO also deplored the “double standard” at the Environment Council.
The Greens/EFA at the European Parliament criticised environment ministers for having “agreed to emissions reductions that are far below the bare minimum that scientists say is necessary: 30% by 2020. Adopting a 'we'll jump if the others do too' approach to post-Kyoto reductions amounts to an abdication by the EU of its self-ascribed leadership on climate change”. (an)