WRITTEN QUESTION E-3197/98

by W.G. van Velzen (PPE) to the Commission

(27 October 1998)

Subject: Progress on the European Energy Charter

In Kyoto the EU gave a binding undertaking to reduce emissions of CO2 and agreed on the targets to be achieved in this respect over the next few years. In the context of joint implementation the Member States are to draw up plans aimed at reducing CO2 emissions. Energy policy is of crucial importance in respect of joint implementation.

1. What role is the Commission - and, in particular, DG XVII - playing in drafting the plans of the Member States and, in this connection, in coordination at EU level?

2. What activities and results can the Commission report in the drafting and implementing of plans with regard to negotiable emission rights for energy with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe?

3. Is the Commission currently able to estimate what role energy plays in the plans of the Member States, and what forms of action the Member States are taking?

4. Can the Commission say which Member States are in the forefront of drafting plans under the Kyoto agreement, and which ones are lagging behind?

5. What role is the EIB playing in implementing plans with regard to the Kyoto objectives, and does the Commission have a political coordinating role in this respect with regard to the EIB?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(18 December 1998)

1. In order to meet their emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol both the Member States and the Community have important roles to play. However, in line with the subsidiarity principle, the Member States have the major responsibility for meeting the Kyoto reduction target. The Community, as a signatory of, and future party to, the Protocol, has the responsibility to ensure that Member States' actions are consistent with the EC Treaty and that their obligations are met under the Protocol. It also has an important role in complementing, reinforcing and supporting Member States' actions with common and co-ordinated policies and measures. Given that emissions of CO2 from energy use and production are the most important source of greenhouse gas, it is clear that the energy sector plays an important role in the development and preparation of the Commission's proposals related to climate change.

2. Article 17 of the Kyoto Protocol provides for emission trading. However, the detailed rules still have to be worked out. The Commission believes that international emission trading can be a useful mechanism for reducing abatement costs provided certain prerequisites are fulfilled. These include the condition that its use is subject to strict rules on monitoring, reporting, accountability and compliance. The Community continues to insist on the environmental effectiveness and transparency of emission trading.

3. Energy related greenhouse gas emissions account for over two thirds of total Community emissions, so the energy sector itself and those sectors such as transport and industry that use energy will play an important role in meeting Kyoto targets. The Commission has recently issued a communication "Strengthening environmental integration within Community energy policy"(1) which develops the first elements of an energy strategy at the Community level to meet Kyoto commitments.

The Commission has asked the Member States to provide details of their own national climate change strategies so that it can develop an overall cost-effective and environmentally sound Community climate change strategy. It intends to come forward with a new communication on this by June 1999.

4. The Commission does not have the information available at this stage to make an informed reply to this question.

5. The European investment bank (EIB), as an important provider of funds for the development of the Community's economy, already takes into account the environmental objectives of the Community when making loans. The Commission will work to ensure that the EIB takes due account in its lending of the importance of the Community meeting its Kyoto target.

(1) COM(98) 571 final.