Beating global climate change

The Party of European Socialists (PES) in its latest newsletter said that with the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol, international efforts to combat climate change are entering a new phase. Thus, the EU also needs to develop its medium and long-term strategies.

According to the Commission communication published this year, entitled 'Winning the Battle Against Global Climate Change', the most important elements are: broadening of participation, inclusion of more policy areas, enhanced innovation, continued use of market-based and flexible instruments, and inclusion of adaptation policies.

The common aims need immediate and effective implementation of agreed policies, increased public awareness, more and better focused research, stronger co-operation with third countries, and a new phase of the European Climate Change Programme.

In response to this communication, the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted an own-initiative report.

The report stresses that the EU strategy on climate change should be based on a seven-pronged approach, including: building on key Kyoto elements, undertaking strong emissions reductions at home, adopting a proactive approach to engage other main actors (notably the US), developing a strategic partnership with other major countries concerned, promoting research and innovation for sustainable energy technologies, using legislation to stimulate greater energy efficiency, and encouraging citizens to become directly involved in mitigation efforts.

PES reports that, ahead of the forthcoming UN conferences, MEPs have urged the EU leadership to present proposals for a future climate regime, based on the overall objective that the average global temperature increase should not go beyond 2°C of pre-industrialisation levels.

This future regime should be based on "common but differentiated responsibilities aiming at contraction and convergence, on continued and progressively greater emission reductions and the involvement of more countries in the reduction efforts".

MEPs pointed out that the potential for energy savings was as high as 40 per cent in the EU, and with a systematic approach it would be possible for renewable energies to cover 25 per cent of EU energy consumption by 2020. The PES Group supported the report and attaches major importance to drawing public attention to the phenomenon of climate change and its implication for the future of humanity. 

Gyula Hegyi, MEP, PES Group shadow draftsman, underlined the problem of effectiveness in the transport sector as it is the most responsible for increasing carbon emissions in Europe. He stressed the need for significant development in the field of rail and public transport.