Strasbourg, 25/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - As was expected, the European Parliament has formally approved the idea of creating a special temporary EP committee on climate change in order for the EP to play a key role in raising awareness about this serious global issue, and inspiring the political will needed to find tangible solutions and mobilise all sectors involved.
The Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament's political groups gave political endorsement to the creation and mandate of the new 60-member horizontal committee (see EUROPE 9411 and 9388), which will be set up for 12 months starting on 10 May 2007. Alongside the formulation of proposals concerning the EU's future integrated energy policy and coordinating the EP's view on international negotiations post-2012, the temporary committee will draw up a balance sheet of progress and prospects in the fight against climate change, studying the environmental, legal, social, regional, geopolitical and public health impact of recent progress and future prospects, and will organise public hearings.
Any recommendations for action or initiatives it comes up with will be included in a detailed report to the European Parliament at the end of the committee's 12 month mandate, and the EP plenary will vote on membership on the committee in the near future. EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas welcomed the European Parliament's initiative in a press release, commenting that following 'the integrated climate and energy package endorsed by the Spring European Council in March, the European Parliament's creation of this special committee further underlines the priority all EU institutions attach to winning the battle against climate change'. (an)