WRITTEN QUESTION E-2824/02 by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission. Tropical forests and other forests in developing countries — conservation and sustainable management.
Date: 2002-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Internet site, aid policy, developing countries, dissemination of EU information, environmental cooperation, sustainable forest management, tropical forest

C 268 E/18

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

7.11.2003

Concerning the political Declaration made in July 2001, following the approval of the Bonn Agreements,
the Commission is fully involved in the on-going Council discussions aiming at the finalisation of a
common understanding on the distribution between the Community and its Member States of the EU
share of the pledged USD 410 million. However, given that the suggestion at the time was that distribution
should be calculated on the basis of the countries’ CO2 emissions in 1990, i.e. according to the Polluter
Pays Principle (PPP) it is the Commission’s view that the EU share of the pledge shall be met by the
Member States, since the Community has no CO2 emissions of its own. The Commission will probably still
make a contribution, even though by definition truly additional
financial
perspective are not available.

funds under the current

Immediately after the conclusion of the Marrakesh Accords in November 2001, the Commission started
working on a Communication that will serve as a basis for discussion with Member States and civil society
on an EU strategy and action plan for climate change in the context of development co-operation. The
Commission intends to adopt the Communication at the latest early next year.

(2003/C 268 E/020)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2824/02

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(8 October 2002)

Subject: Tropical

forests and other forests in developing countries (cid:1) conservation and sustainable

management

On 7 November 2000 Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 2494/2000 (1) on measures
to promote the conservation and sustainable management of tropical and other forests in developing
countries. This regulation provides for significant financial resources to support initiatives to conserve and
sustainably manage forests in developing countries undertaken not only by the States concerned but also
by international organisations, regions and regional bodies, decentralised departments, public agencies,
private operators and industries, cooperatives,
local communities, non-governmental organisations and
associations representing local people, in particular forest-dependent people.

This financial instrument, which enables the EU to contribute to achieving sustainable development in the
South, entered into force almost two years ago. How does the Commission explain that the Development
DG’s webpage ‘Funding opportunities under the “tropical Forests” and “environment” budget lines’ makes
no mention of this instrument and still gives outdated information saying that the Commission cannot
provide financial support for new projects in this area until the European Parliament and the Council have
adopted a new regulation?

According to the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 2494/2000, every second year the Commission is
required to establish strategic guidelines and priorities for the activities to be carried out in the following
years and to inform Parliament of them. Have these strategic guidelines and priorities already been
established? If so, when will Parliament be informed? If not, why not?

(1) OJ L 288, 15.11.2000, p. 6.

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 2002)

The Commission regrets that the web page referred to by the Honourable Member was out of date. This is
truly embarrassing. This information has now been updated to reflect the adoption of the new Regulation
and the fact that implementation has taken place.

The strategic guidelines and priorities for the activities to be carried out under the provision of Regulation
(EC) No 2494/2000 (1) will be decided by the Commission shortly. They will then be sent to Parliament for
information.

(1) Regulation (EC) No 2494/2000 of the Parliament and of the Council of 7 November 2000 on measures to promote
the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests and other forests in developing countries, OJ L 288,
15.11.2000.