WRITTEN QUESTION E-0932/03

by Jorge Moreira Da Silva (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 March 2003)

Subject: Second phase of implementation of the Kyoto Protocol

In view of the need to prepare for the negotiations on the second phase of implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, can the Commission answer the following questions:

1. What does the Commission consider should be the overall target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the second phase of implementation of the Kyoto Protocol?

2. In what way should emissions from international transport, specifically air and sea transport, be included in the second period of the Kyoto Protocol?

3. Should developing countries be subject to binding targets for the reduction of emissions, in a change to the situation in the first period?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(19 May 2003)

1. In preparing negotiations for greenhouse gas emission targets, the Commission considers it important to take into account the available scientific evidence, as summarised in the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)'s Third Assessment Report. It appears premature and non-negotiable at this stage to take a definitive decision on what the ultimate objective of the Convention, expressed in terms of a long-term level of atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases, should be. Nevertheless, the Commission firmly believes that the next step should be taken with careful consideration of the resulting global emissions level, taking into account non-participating countries and regions, and the achievable level of atmospheric concentration. Following scientific evidence of the need to reduce emissions in the long-term by some 70 % from 1990 levels, the Commission has outlined in the 6th Environmental Action Programme its view to aim for a minimum 20 % global reduction by 2020.

2. The Commission supports the allocation of emissions from international aviation and maritime transportation to Parties, beginning in the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol. The Commission considers the most important issue is that international aviation and maritime emissions are taken account of in the same way as emissions from all other sectors of the economy, and this concern takes precedence over preference for any particular option for allocation to Parties under consideration by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In respect of emissions from aviation, also the overall radiative forcing from aviation should be taken into account as mentioned in the 1999 IPCC Special Report on Aviation and the Global Atmosphere. Any decision within the UNFCCC on this issue will have to address this aspect. It is important for the Union to lead in discussions on this with other Annex I Parties in the context of beginning to consider targets for the next commitment period. Special efforts will be needed to include the United States and to find an equitable balance of the burdens to be carried.

3. The Commission is of the opinion that the ultimate objective of the Convention can only be achieved by moving towards global participation over time, taking into account the common but differentiated responsibilities and capabilities of developed as well as developing countries. It is therefore important to initiate a dialogue with developing countries about options for increasing, in the future, their participation to this end. However, because of differing circumstances and development levels from one developing country to another, the Commission does not believe that all developing countries should join the climate regime with binding targets in one step. Considering that many of them (most being less developed countries (LDCs)) are currently contributing very little to global emissions, general binding targets in terms of emissions reduction are for the moment not likely to be appropriate. Other options should be explored whilst examining what the objective conditions and time schedules might be for broadening participation. Finally, those developing countries, in particular LDCs, may need appropriate assistance to ensure they have the means and capacity to fulfil any new obligation.