GREEN EYE ON THE EU’S CLIMATE EFFORT
– A safer energy for Europe is possible!
– MEPs were unable to find a common position on nuclear safety in Europe
– Radiation limit on food imports from Japan
– European Commission adopts power sector rules
– EU ETS to be linked with California’s carbon market
– EU Transport roadmap lacks real efficient target
ROUND-UP – CLIMATE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
– Obama refuses to abandon offshore oil drilling and nuclear energy
– UN Climate conference in Bangkok
WHAT’S ON
– Calendar of some key events in April
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A safer energy for Europe is possible!
The nuclear catastrophe at the nuclear power plant in Japan is causing considerable concern across the world. In Europe, the Greens/EFA group has criticised the lack of transparency in the organisation of the safety tests that must be made at the 142 nuclear reactors located on EU territory and the definition of common criteria. The group regrets that these tests will not take place until the second half of 2011 and that, as a result, will not deliver results before the end of the year. Sufficient information is already available to make decisions. The group, which has made a series of recommendations following the Japanese nuclear accident, calls for immediate action, a complete phase out of nuclear power in the EU and more support to renewables.
MEPs were unable to find a common position on nuclear safety in Europe
MEPs failed to reach a common agreement on nuclear safety in Europe following the accident in Japan. The resolution was finally voted against and showed how divided members are on the issue. The Greens voted against the text as it did not propose any commitment to a progressive phase out of nuclear energy in Europe nor any support for the development of renewables.
Radiation limits on food imports from Japan
On 5th April the European Commission announced it would be reducing the maximum permitted tolerance levels for radiation in foodstuffs imported to the EU from Japan. At the end of March, the Green group raised concerns that the EU levels were less strict than those in Japan and urged the Commission to revise the regulation to ensure maximum safety in the case of a nuclear accident.
European Commission Adopts Power Sector Rules
On 29 March the European Commission issued rules on the transitional free allocation of allowances to the power sector, in preparation for the third phase of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) (2013-20), when the power sector will have to buy its allowances.
Eight eastern European countries plus Malta and Cyprus have been allowed to give free EU emissions trading scheme (ETS) allowances to their power producers until 2019. The ten countries can allocate up to 70% of power sector EUAs for free in 2013, falling to 0% by 2020. Greenpeace has expressed doubt over the legality of Poland’s plans to claim exemptions for some of its new coal power stations.
EU ETS to be linked with California’s carbon market
On 5th april EU Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard confirmed the plans to link the EU ETS with California’s carbon market which opens early next year. The scheme has been designed to be compatible with other emission trading schemes. Hedegaard is confident that a successful scheme in California, predicted by Point Carbon to top $10bn (£6bn) by 2016, could pave the way for a US-wide scheme in the future. Other regions in the world are also considering a provincial cap and trade system.
EU Transport Roadmap lacks real efficient targets
On 28 March, the Commission adopted the long awaited White Paper on Transport, aiming to define a strategy for transport policy until 2020 and provide a wider reflection on how to reduce emissions by 2050. The Commission has correctly assessed some of the main challenges for transport and underlined the need to shift to a more sustainable transport system. Yet, the document clearly lacks political will and only delays the measures needed to implement the necessary changes.
For a more efficient and sustainable transport system that plays an effective part in avoiding dangerous climate change the Greens/EFA group calls for better and more sustainable infrastructure measures, more support to R&D and the elimination of distortions and unfair subsidies to the most polluting modes of transport.
Obama refuses to abandon offshore oil drilling and nuclear energy
On 30 March U.S. President Barack Obama presented his energy plan that intends to cut US oil imports by a third by 2025. The blueprint on energy security proposes a plan to develop domestic sources and protect citizens against the shifts in the oil market that leads to a rise in energy prices, which then sap household spending. Unfortunately almost no references were made to climate change and the US President confirmed his plans to expand offshore oil drilling and to continue building more nuclear plants.
UN Climate Conference in Bangkok
The last round of UN climate talks took place from 5 to 8 April 2011 in Bangkok, Thailand. Unfortunately the talks, which were nevertheless considered to be ‘constructive’, highlighted continuing divisions between governments, particularly on the future of the Kyoto protocol. Developing nations insisted on maintaining it while a big number of richer nations – Japan, Russia, Canada and the US – wanted to focus only on the less contentious Cancun agreements.
So far the targets for emissions agreed last year in Mexico would set the world on course for 3.2C warming, which could have devastating environmental consequences.
11-15 April – The EU sustainability week
Our Climate Campaign is now on Facebook!
It is now possible to follow the Greens/ EFA’s climate Campaign on Facebook! And if you are willing to make any suggestion just drop us an email at greens.stopclimatechange@europarl.europa.eu. Thanks in advance for your comments.