EU Must be Tougher on CO2 Emissions - Barroso
Date: 22-Nov-06
Country: FRANCE
"We have to resolutely attack the problem of climate change," Barroso wrote in France's La Tribune newspaper.
"That means the Commission must adopt a firm, more restrictive position on the next phase of national greenhouse gas control plans covering the period 2008-12 to make sure these fully meet the commitments we made at Kyoto."
Barroso's comments back those of Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, who has said the plans drawn up by EU member states allocating carbon dioxide (CO2) rights to industry in 2008-2012 are too weak.
The Commission is expected to take a decision on whether to accept or reject some of the so-called national allocation plans next week.
Barroso said the EU should aim to reduce its share of worldwide "greenhouse" gas emissions to around 8 percent by 2050 from around 14 percent now.
The United Nations' Kyoto Protocol obliges rich countries to cut emissions to 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, although the United States pulled out of the plan in 2001.
Barroso said the EU should also extend carbon dioxide quota trading to the air transport sector and that the Commission would make proposals on this in the near future.
He said the Commission would present a consultation paper at the beginning of 2007 on what additional measures the EU should take to combat climate change from 2012, when the Kyoto treaty is due to run out.
