EU TO ADOPT CLIMATE FIGHT PLAN DESPITE DIFFERENCES
03.5.08 - Leído 27 veces. Enviar esta notaDarren Ennis
European Union environment ministers expect to approve pivotal plans by December to combat climate change, despite differences over plans for energy-intensive industries and the sustainability of biofuels
BRUSSELS, France; March 4, 2008.- The 27 ministers broadly backed a blueprint to slash carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by at least one-fifth compared to 1990 levels by 2020, increase the share of renewables in power production to 20 percent and boost the share of biofuels used in transport to 10 percent.
But many, including Germany and France, said more clarity was needed on a range of measures, notably which industries will get free carbon emissions permits and whether biofuels are produced sustainably.
“There are always differences on such big issues, but there is a general agreement to sort these issues out and have a political agreement by the end of the year,” said Slovenia’s environment minister Janez Podobnik, whose country holds the EU presidency.
The ground-breaking measures to fight climate change were proposed by the executive European Commission in January and will require the approval of EU leaders and the European Parliament.
FREE PERMITS
The conclusions of Monday’s meeting of environment ministers — which will be discussed by heads of state later this month — will recommend reaching a “political” agreement by the end of the six-month French presidency which begins on July 1.
“This will then allow us to reach our target of having an overall agreement with parliament in the Spring of 2009,” Podobnik told a news conference.
The EU wants a quick agreement to put pressure on other powerful regions such as Asia and North America to follow its lead during crunch international climate talks next year aimed at finding a global plan to fight climate change.
“A new international agreement is our top priority by end of 2009, so reaching our targets is very important for a strong position in negotiations,” EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said.
“Any back tracking would undermine our credibility in those negotiations next year.”
EU energy ministers pointed to tough negotiations ahead during their meeting last week. Despite a more positive chord being struck by their environment colleagues, similar objections were raised on Monday.
The EU executive delayed until 2010 a key decision on which industries most vulnerable to global competition — such as steel, aluminium and cement — would get free permits under the bloc’s Emissions Trading Scheme, which allocates a fixed quota of emissions permits to heavy industry.
“We need clarity now. Our industries must be able to prepare for such an eventuality,” Germany’s State Secretary for the Environment Matthias Machnig said during a public debate.
His view was echoed by more than half of the other ministers present including France, Poland, Italy and Spain, who said some industries might start leaving Europe unless their concerns are addressed.
Many of the same states also called for a review of the bloc’s approach to biofuels, questioning the environmental impact of “green fuels” made from grains and vegetable oils.
They want further investigations into the advantages of second generation biofuels mostly made from plant waste which they said could be more sustainable.
Some countries also said over-dependence on biofuels only pushed up food prices.
“We need a strict EU framework on biofuels in which we need to stress the sustainability of biofuels compared to the price of land, food and water,” French environment minister Jean-Louis Borloo said.
(Reuters)
Enlaces Relacionados
