Major report on future EU climate policy adopted
Monday, 09 February 2009 12:04 | 
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In a special report by the temporary Committee on climate change, recommendations for future climate policy were adopted, after MEPs comprehensively voted in favour of the proposal in Strasbourg on Wednesday (570 in favour, 78 against, 24 abstentions). The report of the Committee, which was set up to provide a platform for coordinated, cross-party efforts, represents the summary of its findings and conclusions since its inception in April 2007.
The paper contains far-reaching and detailed recommendations for various key economic sectors, with tougher targets suggested following a realisation that ‘climate change is both more rapid and more serious in terms of its adverse effects than was previously thought’. Medium term emission reduction targets for 2020, should therefore be raised to between 25-40%, whilst the Parliament is also backing longer term goals of at least an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. The severity of the threat should also be reflected in the next EU financial framework, with the proposal stating that highest priority should be given to tackling climate change.
Since many policy areas can potentially affect the climate, the paper consequently lists a broad range of fields where measures should be taken. Work should therefore be done on: energy, biofuels, energy efficiency, mobility, logistics, tourism, carbon capture and storage, agriculture, livestock rearing, forests, soil protection, water management, fisheries, waste and resource management, adaptation measures, health, promotion of technologies of the future, intelligent computer systems, education, training and awareness raising.
Types of measures to be taken
As part of a more ambitious climate policy the European Parliament is calling for a ‘foreign policy on climate change’ to be established. One of the measures proposed in this respect, is to create solar power partnerships with third countries in the Mediterranean region, which the report sees as the foundations for a more far-reaching external energy policy.
The EU should increase its funding for combating climate change in developing countries as well, and there is a recommendation that emission reduction requirements and adaptation to climate change should be included in development aid programmes.
Closer to home, the report is urging the EU building sector to push for zero-energy use in residential buildings by 2015, and by 2020 in new commercial and public buildings. MEPs are also pushing the Commission to consider setting emission reduction targets for the agricultural sector, as well as recommending that the Commission and Member States support the UN's call for a Green New Deal.
These efforts should be accompanied by the establishment of a new European renewable energy community with an increased focus on, and support for, research and development of technologies such as hydrogen, electric, fuel cells, hybrids or advanced biofuels. A new ‘supergrid’ system should be developed, which would allow access to electricity providers of all power sources.
To finance future climate policy in the EU, a new European Climate Fund should also be established, or alternatively, such a source of funding should at least be formed at the national level, if not at both.
The report recognises the importance of engaging citizens, and is therefore suggesting that emission reduction efforts on behalf of the individual be rewarded through incentives. In order to increase awareness, information about the carbon content of products and services should therefore be made more widespread.
Reaction
Broadly speaking the report has been welcomed as an important step in the right direction, however this optimism has been tainted with words of caution as well.
The paper’s rapporteur, MEP Karl-Heinz Florenz, was pleased with what he sees as a balanced proposal, one which is not a ‘party-political manifesto’, while environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas praised the report for continuing to work in line with the Commission’s vision for a new global climate deal.
Green MEP Rebecca Harms was not convinced by how seriously Parliament is treating the report however. Citing the EU’s relatively weak role at UN climate talks in Poznan, she fears any concrete legislation would ultimately be watered down, saying ‘the decision whether we will move towards a sustainable lifestyle has not been made yet’. Caroline Lucas meanwhile stated that she did not believe the report went far enough, saying Europe should not compare itself to efforts of other countries, but instead to how much work needs to be done and that ‘against this measure, we're still failing’.
The paper contains far-reaching and detailed recommendations for various key economic sectors, with tougher targets suggested following a realisation that ‘climate change is both more rapid and more serious in terms of its adverse effects than was previously thought’. Medium term emission reduction targets for 2020, should therefore be raised to between 25-40%, whilst the Parliament is also backing longer term goals of at least an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. The severity of the threat should also be reflected in the next EU financial framework, with the proposal stating that highest priority should be given to tackling climate change.
Since many policy areas can potentially affect the climate, the paper consequently lists a broad range of fields where measures should be taken. Work should therefore be done on: energy, biofuels, energy efficiency, mobility, logistics, tourism, carbon capture and storage, agriculture, livestock rearing, forests, soil protection, water management, fisheries, waste and resource management, adaptation measures, health, promotion of technologies of the future, intelligent computer systems, education, training and awareness raising.
Types of measures to be taken
As part of a more ambitious climate policy the European Parliament is calling for a ‘foreign policy on climate change’ to be established. One of the measures proposed in this respect, is to create solar power partnerships with third countries in the Mediterranean region, which the report sees as the foundations for a more far-reaching external energy policy.
The EU should increase its funding for combating climate change in developing countries as well, and there is a recommendation that emission reduction requirements and adaptation to climate change should be included in development aid programmes.
Closer to home, the report is urging the EU building sector to push for zero-energy use in residential buildings by 2015, and by 2020 in new commercial and public buildings. MEPs are also pushing the Commission to consider setting emission reduction targets for the agricultural sector, as well as recommending that the Commission and Member States support the UN's call for a Green New Deal.
These efforts should be accompanied by the establishment of a new European renewable energy community with an increased focus on, and support for, research and development of technologies such as hydrogen, electric, fuel cells, hybrids or advanced biofuels. A new ‘supergrid’ system should be developed, which would allow access to electricity providers of all power sources.
To finance future climate policy in the EU, a new European Climate Fund should also be established, or alternatively, such a source of funding should at least be formed at the national level, if not at both.
The report recognises the importance of engaging citizens, and is therefore suggesting that emission reduction efforts on behalf of the individual be rewarded through incentives. In order to increase awareness, information about the carbon content of products and services should therefore be made more widespread.
Reaction
Broadly speaking the report has been welcomed as an important step in the right direction, however this optimism has been tainted with words of caution as well.
The paper’s rapporteur, MEP Karl-Heinz Florenz, was pleased with what he sees as a balanced proposal, one which is not a ‘party-political manifesto’, while environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas praised the report for continuing to work in line with the Commission’s vision for a new global climate deal.
Green MEP Rebecca Harms was not convinced by how seriously Parliament is treating the report however. Citing the EU’s relatively weak role at UN climate talks in Poznan, she fears any concrete legislation would ultimately be watered down, saying ‘the decision whether we will move towards a sustainable lifestyle has not been made yet’. Caroline Lucas meanwhile stated that she did not believe the report went far enough, saying Europe should not compare itself to efforts of other countries, but instead to how much work needs to be done and that ‘against this measure, we're still failing’.
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