# CE2004070EN.01020601.xml

| 20.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 70/206 |
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20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 70/206

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(2004/C 70 E/222)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3051/03

by Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission

(9 October 2003)

Subject:   Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by Russia

Subject:

On 29 September 2003 President Putin announced that Russia had still not taken a decision on whether or not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. This represents a serious setback for international climate policy and for the EU, which has been advocating ratification of the Protocol by Russia. However, Russia has criticised EU diplomacy concerning the Protocol, describing it as ‘disastrous’ and ‘clumsy’ (1). Until such time as Russia ratifies the Protocol, no international obligations can be imposed. However, the EU has announced that it will continue its efforts to achieve the objectives regarding emissions reductions.

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| 1. | Does the Commission take the view that the EU's diplomatic efforts in connection with the Kyoto Protocol have failed and can it state how much consideration was given to effective cooperation between the Commission and the Member States with a view to conducting bilateral and multilateral talks designed to persuade Russia to ratify the Protocol promptly, in particular in the light of the ‘green diplomacy’ initiative launched at the Thessaloniki European Council? |
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1.

Does the Commission take the view that the EU's diplomatic efforts in connection with the Kyoto Protocol have failed and can it state how much consideration was given to effective cooperation between the Commission and the Member States with a view to conducting bilateral and multilateral talks designed to persuade Russia to ratify the Protocol promptly, in particular in the light of the ‘green diplomacy’ initiative launched at the Thessaloniki European Council?

| 2. | Can the Commission outline the strategic and legal implications of Russia's continuing failure to ratify the Protocol and how it now intends to move the Kyoto process forward and implement the European measures (such as emissions trading) drawn up as part of that process? |
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2.

Can the Commission outline the strategic and legal implications of Russia's continuing failure to ratify the Protocol and how it now intends to move the Kyoto process forward and implement the European measures (such as emissions trading) drawn up as part of that process?

| 3. | Is it the case that, until such time as the Kyoto Protocol enters into force, Member States cannot use CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) and JI (Joint Implementation) ‘credits’ in order to meet undertakings given at EU level, and if so, what measures does the Commission plan to take in that connection? |
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3.

Is it the case that, until such time as the Kyoto Protocol enters into force, Member States cannot use CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) and JI (Joint Implementation) ‘credits’ in order to meet undertakings given at EU level, and if so, what measures does the Commission plan to take in that connection?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(25 November 2003)

(25 November 2003)

| 1. | No, the Commission does not regard the Union's diplomatic efforts to persuade Russia of the case for ratifying the Kyoto Protocol as in any way a failure. The Commission expects that Russia will ratify when it has completed its own scrutiny of the facts and the arguments. Diplomacy does not mean subjecting another country to the will of the Union, or imposing a timetable for decisions, but rather involves a continuous two-way process of mutual explanation and understanding.
  The Green Diplomacy initiative has reinforced information exchange and co-ordination. Throughout the past two years there has been good co-ordination between the Commission and the Member States. Many statements by Russian representatives have testified to their good appreciation of the global and national advantages to be derived from ratification. Some more negative opinions have also been expressed from time to time as the debate has continued. The Commission is confident that Russia will proceed with the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol in a timely manner. The Union, as well as the other Parties having ratified the Kyoto Protocol, should continue to encourage Russia in this direction.
  In order to do so, the Union is regularly discussing with Russian counterparts the advantages that the Kyoto Protocol could bring. To this end, seminars, workshops, visits and other activities are regularly organised. |
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1.

No, the Commission does not regard the Union's diplomatic efforts to persuade Russia of the case for ratifying the Kyoto Protocol as in any way a failure. The Commission expects that Russia will ratify when it has completed its own scrutiny of the facts and the arguments. Diplomacy does not mean subjecting another country to the will of the Union, or imposing a timetable for decisions, but rather involves a continuous two-way process of mutual explanation and understanding.

The Green Diplomacy initiative has reinforced information exchange and co-ordination. Throughout the past two years there has been good co-ordination between the Commission and the Member States. Many statements by Russian representatives have testified to their good appreciation of the global and national advantages to be derived from ratification. Some more negative opinions have also been expressed from time to time as the debate has continued. The Commission is confident that Russia will proceed with the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol in a timely manner. The Union, as well as the other Parties having ratified the Kyoto Protocol, should continue to encourage Russia in this direction.

In order to do so, the Union is regularly discussing with Russian counterparts the advantages that the Kyoto Protocol could bring. To this end, seminars, workshops, visits and other activities are regularly organised.

| 2. | The Kyoto Protocol will not enter into force until Russia ratifies. But, as far as the Union is concerned, the implementation of policies and measures to comply with the commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, including the Union emission trading scheme (ETS), will continue as planned, as most of these measures are internal measures of the Union. The Union together with the nearly 120 other Parties that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol will in fact proceed with immediate implementation. It is essential for the Union to pursue this line as this is an indication of political leadership and a confirmation to the other Parties that the Union takes its commitments very seriously. |
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2.

The Kyoto Protocol will not enter into force until Russia ratifies. But, as far as the Union is concerned, the implementation of policies and measures to comply with the commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, including the Union emission trading scheme (ETS), will continue as planned, as most of these measures are internal measures of the Union. The Union together with the nearly 120 other Parties that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol will in fact proceed with immediate implementation. It is essential for the Union to pursue this line as this is an indication of political leadership and a confirmation to the other Parties that the Union takes its commitments very seriously.

| 3. | Credits from Joint Implementation (JI) and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) will exist as of the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. The Commission has recently proposed to link JI and CDM credits to the Union emissions trading scheme so as to allow companies to use these credits for compliance with the obligations under the Union emissions trading scheme.
  As the Commission expects Russia to ratify, it sees for the time being no need for any further measures to be taken in this respect. |
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3.

Credits from Joint Implementation (JI) and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) will exist as of the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. The Commission has recently proposed to link JI and CDM credits to the Union emissions trading scheme so as to allow companies to use these credits for compliance with the obligations under the Union emissions trading scheme.

As the Commission expects Russia to ratify, it sees for the time being no need for any further measures to be taken in this respect.

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(1)  De Standaard, 22 September 2003.

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