WRITTEN QUESTION E-0110/01 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Air pollution and climate change.
Date: 2001-02-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, climate change, international cooperation, natural disaster, stratospheric pollution

C 261 E/40

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.9.2001

The Commission conducts regular surveys on the subject, which suggest that much still remains to
2.
be done. It has repeatedly warned the national authorities of the problem. The Commission recommenda-
tion of 11 October 2000 contains several measures aimed at greatly increasing awareness among
economic operators regarding preparations for the euro (1). By and large, some of these recommendations
are currently being implemented (e.g. early switchover of accounts and non-cash means of payment).

3.
The Commission budget for providing information on the euro is mostly used to cofinance national
communications programmes targeting, among others, SMEs. It is also being used to help fund a number
of transnational campaigns aimed at SMEs, particularly in partnership with the association of Chambers of
Industry and Commerce (Eurochambres).

(1) OJ C 303, 24.10.2000.

(2001/C 261 E/041)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0110/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(1 February 2001)

Subject: Air pollution and climate change

The world climate conference held recently in The Hague ended without agreement on a strategy to
combat air pollution. The climate is therefore likely to continue deteriorating, causing great damage. A
scientific report on climate change drawn up by the scientists of the IPCC (UN) has raised the alarm over
the predictable disastrous consequences of such change unless action is taken as soon as possible to
eliminate the causes. Meanwhile, even Europe is experiencing increasingly often climatic phenomena
which devastate the environment and human lives, such as floods and heavy snowfalls which cause
landslides or avalanches even in places which are usually immune from such occurrences.

1.

Does the Commission share the fears expressed by the UN experts?

2. What is its opinion on the (cid:145)disagreement(cid:146) of The Hague and on the incapability of the world political
system of overseeing the globalisation of environmental emergencies and of making decisions on every-
one(cid:146)s behalf?

Does the Commission intend to maintain the objective established in Kyoto of a 5 % reduction in

3.
carbon dioxide emissions by the end of 2008?

4. What measures does it intend to propose to the governments, in the wake of this failure, to prevent
(cid:129) as far as possible (cid:129) such dreaded environmental disasters?

Does it not consider it would be advisable to urgently refer back to the United Nations this issue

5.
which failed to be resolved in The Hague?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(23 March 2001)

The Commission regards the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) as an important warning that climate change is happening faster and to a more serious degree than
originally expected. The report clearly stresses the importance of acting quickly and of making substantial
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Final negotiations focused mainly on the relationship between the Kyoto mechanisms and domestic action
((cid:145)supplementarity(cid:146)) and on land-use change and forestry ((cid:145)sinks(cid:146)). However, there was not enough time to
fully evaluate last-minute compromise proposals on the use of sinks in terms of their impact on countries

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/41

inside and outside the Community. There was nevertheless sufficient evidence that the final proposals
would have seriously compromised environmental integrity and the Community therefore decided not to
accept them.

The Commission strongly regrets that it was not possible to reach agreement in The Hague. However, the
outcome of 6th Conference of the Parties (COP6) was not entirely negative and some good progress was
made: for example, a set of proposals responding to developing countries(cid:146) needs and concerns was
elaborated. Also on other issues such as policies and measures to reduce emissions, capacity building,
technology transfer, emissions trading, joint implementation and compliance, progress was made at the
technical level. All efforts should focus on finalising these decisions at the resumed session of COP6.

The Community is committed to the Kyoto target and, as stated at 5th Conference of the Parties (COP5),
will undertake all effects for early ratification and entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol by 2002. In order
to achieve the Community target of -8 %, an effective Community implementation strategy is necessary.
With the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP), the Commission has made an important effort in
this direction. The first phase of the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) will finish in May and
will result in clear policy recommendations for all
important economic sectors such as energy and
transport. In the second half of this year, the Commission intends to come forward with its implementa-
tion strategy accompanied by a proposal for Community ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.

Negotiations between Parties in the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change have been suspended but will be taken up again later this year. Mr Pronk, President of COP6, is in
consultation with the different regional groups regarding the best time to officially resume the negotiations
and how to best carry forward the process.

The Community urges all Parties, in particular the new United States administration, to engage in the
negotiations in a constructive manner with a view to reaching an overall agreement as soon as possible.

The success of further negotiations will require a constructive spirit. The challenge is to find compromises
that strike the right balance between Parties(cid:146) concerns. Everybody wants cost-effective measures, but this
must not compromise the environmental integrity of the Kyoto Protocol and must ensure the necessary
support for developing countries in terms of sustainable development.

(2001/C 261 E/042)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0120/01

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 February 2001)

Subject: Wood preserving agents

In accordance with the biocides directive (98/8/EC) (1) pesticides for non-agricultural use have to be
removed from the market, in line with the substitution principle, if a less harmful alternative is available.
Wood preserving agents based on copper/chromium and copper/chromium/arsenic compounds (cid:129) impreg-
nating acids (cid:129) have an effect on humans and the environment varying between harmful and highly toxic.