IP/00/232
Brussels, 8 March 2000
Climate change: Commission launches European
Climate Change Programme and advocates twintrack approach for reducing emissions
The European Commission wants to give new impetus to the Community’s
efforts for reducing greenhouse gases that lead to global warming.
Launching the European Climate Change Programme with two initiatives
adopted today, the Commission advocates a twin-track strategy for
implementing the emission reduction target to which the EU is committed
under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. A Green Paper on emissions trading foresees
the setting-up of an emissions trading system within the EU for the energy
sector and big industrial installations. The second pillar of the strategy are
targeted measures to reduce emissions from specific sources.
When presenting the two documents, Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström
said: “I am very satisfied to see both the Communication and the Green Paper
adopted together, because the key to meeting our Kyoto commitments is not to
concentrate on one or the other sector, or one or the other instrument, but to take
action simultaneously on a broad range of emission sources. This is why we have
decided to launch a European Climate Change Programme. Together with other
polices and measures, emissions trading will be an integral part of this Programme
and the Community’s implementation strategy”.
The two documents are an important stepping stone in the preparations for the EU’s
ratification of the Kyoto Protocol after the 6th Conference of the Parties (COP6) to
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change due to take place
next November in The Hague.
European Climate Change Programme
The Commission today launches the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP)
first announced by Mrs Wallström in the European Parliament last October. The
Communication on EU policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
spells out the main components of this programme. It establishes a multi-stakeholder
consultative process (including Member States experts, industry and green NGOs,
besides the different Commission Services) focused on the key areas for emission
reduction. A number of technical working groups will be set up to undertake
preparatory work on the basis of which the Commission can develop policy
proposals in areas such as energy, transport, industrial gases and emissions trading.
A tight timetable will oblige working groups to report back in 12 months. The
Communication includes a list of potential EU policies and measures which could be
developed under the ECCP, and the Commission will discuss those with the Council
of Ministers.
The Commission underlines, as on earlier occasions, that much more effort is
needed for the EU to meet its Kyoto target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by
8% in the timeframe 2008/2012 as compared to 1990. The latest data show that
CO2 emissions are increasing rather than decreasing, and that the 8% reduction
objective will not be met if no additional measures are taken. This emphasises the
need for a reinforcement of policies and measures to reduce emissions across all
sectors of the EU’s economy.
“The picture is not rosy. We have to put into place additional measures at the
Community level if we are to achieve what we promised in Kyoto. At the same time,
the Member States should not rely on the Community doing it all. Most of them are
not on track for reaching their national targets”, warned Margot Wallström.
Emissions trading
One pillar of the Community’s climate change strategy will be an internal EU
greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme. It falls under the European Climate
Change Programme and the Commission has now adopted a Green Paper to
improve understanding of emissions trading as a potential tool for climate change
policy within the EU. The Green Paper emphasises the Community dimension to
emissions trading in terms of for example the internal market and competition, which
is often over-looked when considering its role within the Community. This is all the
more important in view of the decisions being taken within the next 12 months or so
by the Member States on their national implementation strategies, in preparation for
ratifying the Kyoto Protocol.
The Green Paper fulfils both an “informative” role, in explaining a much
misunderstood instrument, and an “analytical” role, in making a strong case for
Community involvement in future developments in this area. However, as befits a
Green Paper, a number of options are explored without firm conclusions being
drawn. To facilitate the consultation exercise being launched, a number of questions
are asked. Interested parties are invited to react within 6 months, so that the
Commission can consider the views of all stakeholders before proceeding further.
Acknowledging the considerable interest in emissions trading in the climate change
debate, Commissioner Wallström insisted that:
“The Green Paper rightly advocates a prudent commencement of emissions trading
that, if successful, can be extended. It must be understood that we are breaking new
ground with such a system and we need to get it right from the start. However, I am
firmly convinced that it can work if we put into place a strong framework with
adequate controls. Then emissions trading will ensure that emission reductions will
be made where they are cheapest and hence we will all benefit economically. It’s not
just about leaving things to market forces, but creating the necessary structures in
which cost-effective incentives can exist”.
2