An ambitious action

Commission President, José Manuel Barroso said: “Responding to the challenge of climate change is the ultimate political test for our generation.” He uses strong and sometimes far-fetched words to describe the package of proposals to fulfill the commitments taken in March 2007 by the EU to fight climate change. Environment, EU leads the way . From theory to practice, implementing an “ambitious” action-plan to keep Europe in the front line of environmental protection. The package of proposals are set out in five legislative provisions (all details are available on www.ec.europa.eu) on: binding Member States, to share-out the effort of cutting global carbon dioxide emissions; review emission trading system directive; directive on renewable energies focused also on the use of bio-fuels; directive on coal pits; new State aid guidelines. For the Executive this shows “that the goals set last year have been met both economically and technologically.” The legislation is targeted at reducing by 20% green gas emissions within 2020 (compared to those of 1990). The emission reduction will be increased to 30% “when a new global climate change agreement is signed”, following up on the Kyoto Protocol. Another binding goal is to increase by 20% the share of renewable energy resources, still within 2020, plus a 10% use of bio-fuels for the transportation sector, to boost environmental protection.Acting is costly, but failing to act is far more expensive. Renewable energy targets have been set out to determine the increase every State must allocate to this sector: for example, Austria must increase by 34% its production of “clean” energy, such as wind and solar power; Belgium and the Check Republic 13% ; Finland 38% and the United Kingdom 15%. The Commission is aware that the energy package entails costs, mostly on the productive system. But Barroso himself states: “They are manageable costs, accounting for less than 0.5% of GDP, that is approximately 3 euro per EU citizen a week. According to the head of the Executive the “inhalation” would be 10 times more costly, especially due to the increase of oil and gas prices and Europe’s dependency on foreign suppliers. The Commission acknowledges that the emission cuts could affect companies’ competitive edge towards competitors without comparable constraints”. Therefore the urgent need to achieve a global agreement; in the meantime “to avoid industrial relocation” high energy consuming industries will enjoy free emission rights.Climate change and economic growth . Commissioner for the environment , Stavros Dimas, launches a message to world “polluters” and pin points: “The package of proposals centered on EU’s pioneering emissions trading system demonstrates to our global partners that strong action to fight climate change is compatible with economic growth and prosperity.” According to a political -ecological analysis from Commissioner for energy policy, Andris Piebalgs: “In a time of growing oil prices and climate change concerns, renewable energy sources is an opportunity we cannot miss. They will help us to reduce CO2 emissions and strengthen our security of supply.”EU Member of Parliament’s reactions: The Commission’s package of proposals must now be enforced. Mr. Barroso himself highlighted its importance while presenting the provisions during the Parliament’s extraordinary plenary session in 23 January. The Assembly positively welcomed the measures presented by the Commissioners. The Belgium deputy Marienne Thyssen stated in front of the assembly: “Today is a historical day that will change our life.” For the Austrian socialist Hannes Swoboda we must “put into practice” the listed goal, and pursuit a “global agreement”. The English liberal Graham Watson stressed that the effects of a lack of action would be more serious than estimated” For the green German representative, Rebecca Harms, the commitment to protect the environment ” will enable the EU to win back citizens’ trust”, she restates her opposition to nuclear energy (that every once in a while makes a comeback in Barroso’s public position) and asks for a new transportation policy.