Brussels, 28/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - Preparation of the Spring European Council on 13-14 March will be the focus of the Environment Council on 3 March, chaired by Janez Podobnik, Slovenian Environment and Spatial Planning Minister. The outcome of the first policy debate held by the environment ministers on the climate change and energy legislative package of 23 January (EUROPE 9586) will be determining in this respect to allow EU heads of state and government to provide policy guidelines on the timetable and main principles allowing orchestration of the ambitious commitments taken at the European Council on 8-9 March 2007. Ivo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, will attend the ministerial lunch - an opportunity for continuing the debate with a view to international talks on the post-2012 period. Stavros Dimas will represent the Commission.
Climate action and renewable energy package. Following the Energy Council debate (see related article), the Environment Council's policy debate will mainly cover texts under its specific scope:
- Proposal for a directive aimed at improving and extending the EU greenhouse gas emission allowance trading system (ETS) by 2013, and the proposal for a directive on the differentiated ceiling of emissions for each member state in areas not covered by the ETS. Ministers will say whether they approve the fundamental characteristics of the revised ETS and the way the effort is shared between member states. The seven signatory countries of a letter to the presidency and Commission called on the EU to act sufficiently early, by 2011, to protect energy intensive industries exposed to international competition, the risk of relocation and “carbon leaks” to third countries that are less virtuous when it comes to climate (EUROPE 9609 and 9607).
- Proposal for a directive concerning the safe and environmentally-friendly practice of dioxide capture and sequestration. Ministers will be invited to assess the capacity of the regulatory framework put forward to allow progress in deployment of these technologies, in respect of the environment.
Like their energy colleagues, ministers will also be invited to judge whether the measures of the renewable energies/climate package are sufficient to attain the objectives set by the European Council of March 2007, and whether the regime of environmental viability will allow sustainable production of biofuels and ensure the effective exchange of biomass and biofuels to and within the EU.
Emissions of CO2 from cars. During a public session, the Council will deliberate a draft regulation on setting emission performance standards for new passenger cars and light-duty vehicles, with relevant fines (EUROPE 9569). Ministers will be invited by the presidency to answer the following questions: - Do ministers agree that the Commission's proposal setting emission performance standards for new passenger cars respects the criteria put forward by the Council in its conclusions on the results of the review of the Community Strategy to reduce CO2 emissions from cars? What in practice can be done to further improve the balance between the different elements of the proposal in order to meet its environmental objectives? There will no doubt be confirmation of divergence between countries, like Germany, which produce cars with large cylindric capacity, and those which produce less powerful cars (like France, Italy and Spain). France, in particular, challenges the vehicle weight parameter for calculating reduction and prefers to use overall dimensions. Industry ministers have now stated their division over the curve (60%) determining the level of effort to be made (EUROPE 9610) and European car makers have told the Commission of their concerns (EUROPE 9611).
Spring summit. The Council will add its contribution to the conclusions based mainly on the Commission's report on the renewed Lisbon strategy and on the proposal that make up the Energy/Climate package. The Council should stress that progress along the road of low gas emissions requires political, social and economic efforts which are supported by all and modulated depending of the capacities of each and every one. Conclusions should recall that the ETS is an essential element for an integrated climate and energy policy. The Council will also stress the need to strengthen synergies between policies conducted in the context of combating climate change and the fight for putting a stop to the decline in biodiversity. It will specify that the promotion of sustainable production and consumption is essential for finding a concrete solution to the need to use natural resources compatible with sustainable development.
Biological diversity/prevention of biotechnological risks. The Council will adopt conclusions on the position defended by the EU at the 9th session of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to be held in Bonn from 19-30 May 20087, and on the fourth meeting of the parties to the Cartagena Protocol (Bonn, 12-16 May).
The day after the session, on 4 March, EU environment ministers will meet their counterparts from Latin American countries in Brussels for the EU-Latin America and Caribbean ministerial meeting. (A.N.)