Brussels, 23/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - In order to reduce its "carbon footprint", the European Parliament has launched an action plan containing measures it may pursue or adopt in the short or longer term, to help it to achieve its ambition to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% between now and 2020. This objective is the same as the one targeted by the EU as part of the global agreement to be concluded in December 2009, if all industrialised countries make a similar commitment.
The action plan of the Parliament, enshrined by the bureau of the institution on Friday 20 February, provides for the following, amongst other measures: - individual studies on ways of improving the energy performances of each building of the Parliament, such as using photovoltaic, solar, thermic and geothermic energy, installing systems reducing the use of electric lighting and the air-conditioning systems, and the future construction of carbon-neutral buildings; - making better use of information technology, either by reducing the number of units required by each member of staff, or by improving and promoting the use of videoconferencing; - including concerns related to the reduction of carbon emissions into all decisions regarding transport (promoting journeys by train, bicycle and on foot, encouraging the use of low-carbon cars, improving the planning of events so as to minimise the requirement for travel and transport; - creation of a long-term awareness and communication plan on carbon efficiency, to bring about changes in the mindset and behaviour of EP staff; - measures encouraging the Parliament's suppliers to reduce their own carbon emissions and to save water.
In addition to and on the sidelines of these measures to be taken between now and 2020, the Parliament is to create a voluntary system, by virtue of which the MEPs and staff members may choose to offset emissions arising from their aeroplane travel. This will certainly be done before 1 January 2012, when civil aviation activities will be included in the Community system of trading in greenhouse gas emissions quotas, by way of contribution to the fight against climate change. (A.N./trans.fl)