B4-0366, 0368, 0369, 0371, 0372, 0373 and 0374/95

Resolution on a strategy for climatic protection in the EU

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its resolutions of 13 June 1991 on energy and the environment ((OJ C 183, 15.7.1991, pp. 303 and 308.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 13 June 1991 on economic and fiscal instruments of environment policy ((OJ C 183, 15.7.1991, p. 296.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 13 February 1992 on European Community participation in the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED) ((OJ C 67, 16.3.1992, p. 152.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 15 May 1992 on the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED) ((OJ C 150, 15.6.1992, p. 322.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 9 July 1992 on the outcome of the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED) ((OJ C 241, 21.9.1992, p. 178.)),

- having regard to the Commission proposal for a Council Directive introducing a tax on carbon dioxide emissions and energy (COM(92)0226) ((OJ C 196, 3.8.1992, p. 1.)),

- having regard to the Framework Convention on Climate Change which was signed at the Rio de Janeiro Conference and entered into force on 21 March 1994, constituting the first binding provision of international law in the field of global climatic protection,

- having regard to the communique isued following the discussion held by the European Council at Essen in December 1994,

- having regard to the outcome of the Environment Council meeting in December 1994,

- having regard to the Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change to be held from 28 March to 7 April 1995 in Berlin,

- having regard to the draft protocol drawn up on behalf of the Conference of the Parties on behalf of the Alliance of the Small Island States (AOSIS) on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction,

- having regard to the resolution of the ACP-EU Joint Assembly in Dakar (February 1995) on the Conference of the Parties,

A. whereas the Council adopted a resolution on 29 November 1990 setting as an objective the stabilisation of carbon dioxide emission levels by the year 2000 at 1990 levels and that this position established worldwide leadership on the issue,

B. noting that according to all estimates the Union is not on course even to achieve its modest objective of stabilizing CO2 emissions by the year 2000 at 1990 levels, taking into account all the present national and European measures to combat climate change,

C. whereas the objective of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is to achieve a stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climatic system,

D. whereas the International Panel on Climate Change long ago established that we must reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60% if we are to avoid the dangerous climatic effects of the greenhouse gases; acknowledging that such a reduction obviously requires the use of coordinated instruments by all parties concerned,

E. whereas, although the problem of climate change must be dealt with at international level, it must also be recognized that it is the responsibility of developed countries such as EU Member States to take the lead by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2,

F. whereas, at the Rio follow-up conference in Berlin in March, which is the first opportunity to give precise content to the UN Framework 1995 Convention on Climate Change, the Union will have to demonstrate the credibility of the measures it is taking to meet its Rio targets in order to convince the other participating countries to honour their commitments,

G. having regard to the efforts already undertaken in some Member States (Sweden, Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands) to reduce non renewable energy use and carbon dioxide emissions by national special taxes,

H. whereas it is essential for the UN Framework Convention to be implemented, given substance and further developed as a result of the Conference of the Parties in Berlin,

1. Deplores the fact that the Council and the Commission after many years of debate, still have not reached any agreement on a coherent and effective strategy on how to combat CO2 emissions in spite of all their declarations;

2. Reaffirms its belief in the need to reduce energy consumption through energy efficiency at global and national level and finds that conservation of resources is a valid way to achieve the proposed objectives;

3. Reiterates that, although determined action needs to be taken not only at Community level, but also worldwide, the European Union has an obligation to take a lead, both internationally and at Community level;

4. Calls on the Commission and Member States to urge all the other parties to the Rio Convention to take the opportunity offered by the first Conference of Parties to agree on the stabilization of CO2 emissions by the year 2000 at 1990 levels (Annex 1 States) within the framework of a binding declaration jointly adopted by the Parties;

5. Calls on the Commission and the Council to accept on behalf of the European Union the Protocol of the 36 AOSIS countries (small island states), which states that the developed countries commit themselves to reducing their yearly carbon dioxide emissions by 20% in the year 2005 compared to 1990 levels as the next step to a global reduction of carbon dioxide emissions;

6. Calls on the Commission immediately to bring forward proposals concerning the application, preferably by all Member States, of fiscal instruments to control and limit energy use and carbon dioxide emissions;

7. Calls on the Council, prior to the Berlin conference, to commit itself to the early adoption of such proposals;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and the Council.