Resurgent greenhouse gas emissions underline need for more stringent regulation

HE GREENS/EFA IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
PRESS RELEASE – Brussels, 22 June 2006

CLIMATE CHANGE
– Resurgent greenhouse gas emissions underline need for more stringent regulation

Following the release of data on greenhouse gas emissions for 2004 by the European Environment Agency (EEA) today, Finnish Green MEP and member of the EP Environment Committee Satu Hassi said:

“The figures released by the EEA today make for grim reading: for the second year in a row, greenhouse gas emissions in the EU rose (1). Emissions are going in the wrong direction. This is clearly a setback for EU efforts to meet our Kyoto commitments and demonstrates that, without binding targets and determined political action, climate policy will fail.”

“The emissions trading scheme will be crucial in ensuring the EU achieves the Kyoto Protocol target of reducing our emissions 8% by 2012 compared to 1990 levels. The national allocation plans for the next period (2008-12), which are due to be submitted for Commission review next week, must be in line with the Kyoto commitments. Continuing failure to address transport emissions is seriously short-sighted and jeopardises efforts to combat climate change.”

“If Member States and the Commission fail to put the necessary policies and measures in place, the EU taxpayer will be left to foot the bill for our pollution, as emissions reductions will have to be bought from abroad. In regard to global efforts to combat climate change, however, yesterday’s announcement about the launching of a climate dialogue between the EU and the US, which will include discussion on the design of international emissions trading, is a welcome development.”

(1) The annual inventory report on EU emissions, prepared by the European Environment Agency, revealed an increase in EU greenhouse gas emissions from 2003-4 of 0.3% for the EU15 and 0.4% for the EU25. The inventory report is the annual submission of the EU to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).