WRITTEN QUESTION P-0244/03 by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Non-compliance in Greece with the Kyoto Protocol on climate change and unsatisfactory implementation of Regulation (EC) NO 2037/2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer.
Date: 2003-01-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, application of EU law, environmental law, household electrical appliance, reduction of gas emissions, stratospheric pollution, waste management

18.9.2003

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Official Journal of the European Union

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The Commission can confirm that on 5 March it adopted a legislative proposal to apply criminal sanctions
to any shipowner, shipper, classification society or other person responsible for pollution through gross
negligence. The proposed text would introduce strict rules relating to pollution, including unlawful tank
cleaning operations as well as refuelling activities.

(1) Oral answer of 17.12.2002.

(2003/C 222 E/197)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0244/03

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 January 2003)

Subject: Non-compliance in Greece with the Kyoto Protocol on climate change and unsatisfactory

implementation of Regulation (EC) NO 2037/2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer

According to the Commission’s second report (1) on the implementation of Decision 93/389/EEC (2) in
Greece, greenhouse gas emissions rose during 2000 to 8.7 index points above the linear target path for the
period 2008-2010, which the Member States set to meet the Kyoto targets. Moreover, Greece is failing
satisfactorily to implement Regulation (EC) 2037/2000 (3) on substances that deplete the ozone layer and
has not established any system to promote their recovery pursuant to Article 16, paragraph 6 of that
Regulation.

Is the Commission satisfied with the measures taken by Greece in respect of emissions of the gases listed in
the annex to the Kyoto Protocol (cid:1) carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O),
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) (cid:1) and what measures
will the Commission take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Greece in CO2 equivalents?

Why has the Commission taken no measures in response to the unsatisfactory implementation in Greece
of Regulation (EC) 2037/2000 and, in particular, the failure to implement Article 16 which requires that
used ozone-depleting substances (e.g. CFCs etc.) be recovered? What measures will it take to prevent the
dumping of appliances containing controlled substances (e.g. refrigerators) on rubbish tips in Greece?

In the Commission’s view, what measures would be appropriate to reduce greenhouse gases and to reduce
and recover used ozone-depleting substances in Greece?

(1) COM(2002) 702 final.
(2) OJ L 167, 9.7.1993, p. 31.
(3) OJ L 244, 29.9.2000, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2003)

Climate change

The actual emissions show that Greece (cid:1) together with eight other Member States (cid:1) had not made
sufficient progress until the year 2000 (the latest year for which data are available) towards their burden-
sharing target under the Kyoto Protocol if it is assumed that progress towards the target is linear (see also
the latest annual report on the monitoring of Community greenhouse gases) (1). The most recent
projections available with existing measures (baseline) indicate that the Greek emissions will see an increase
by 35,6 % from 1990 levels in the year 2010, while Greece’s legally binding burden-sharing target is
+ 25 % only. Other projections taking account of additional measures have not yet been reported to the
Commission. These new projections incorporating the latest list of policies and measures would be useful
its
in assessing the extent

to which the additional measures identified will help Greece to meet

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18.9.2003

commitment in 2008-2012. In any case the fast implementation of additional measures in Greece as in
other Member States is of utmost
to the national Climate change
programmes the Commission is currently preparing a number of cost effective Community measures (for
instance in the area of energy and transport)
the European Climate Change
Programme (ECCP) in order to reduce emission in the Community.

importance. As a complement

in the framework of

Ozone layer

In regard to the compliance of Greece with the Council and Parliament Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 of
29 June 2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer, the Commission, acting under Article 226 of the
EC Treaty, initiated an infringement procedure in July 2002 against all Member States. The Commission
considered that Member States had failed to fulfil the reporting requirements pursuant to Articles 16 and
17 of the Regulation. Greek authorities responded in October 2002.

In its response to the Commission on Article 16, Greece described the legal framework for defining the
qualifications for personnel
installing, maintaining and repairing refrigeration equipment. Presidential
Decree No 87 (Government Gazette No 72A/25-4-96) on the ‘Construction, Maintenance, and Repair of
Refrigeration Installations and Machinery’, describes inter alia the personnel qualifications necessary for
professional licenses and performance criteria. Article 19 of this decree requires ‘… all measures to avoid
leakage into the environment, even small quantities.’

However, Greece has not reported specifically on Article 16(6) which includes the systems established to
promote the recovery of used controlled substances including the facilities available and the quantities
recovered, recycled, reclaimed or destroyed. The Commission is, therefore, seeking further information
from Greece in order to determine further action if needed.

(1) COM(2002) 702 final.

(2003/C 222 E/198)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0245/03

by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission

(28 January 2003)

Subject: French tax on imported Trappist beers (cid:1) Protection of non-industrial beer

New legislation was recently passed in France introducing a special tax on beers with over 8,5 % of alcohol
content.

This measure would solely affect imported beers,
traditional methods in neighbouring Belgium.

in particular ‘Trappist’ beers brewed according to

This would seem to be in clear contravention of Article 90 of the EC Treaty, which stipulates that: ‘No
Member State shall impose, directly or indirectly, on the products of other Member States any internal
taxation of any kind in excess of that imposed directly or indirectly on similar domestic products.
Furthermore, no Member State shall impose on the products of other Member States any internal taxation
of such a nature as to afford indirect protection to other products’.

Does the Commission not consider that representations should be made to the French authorities as a
matter of urgency to ensure that they withdraw this legislation, which is in serious breach of the principles
of the European common market and free competition?

Could the Commission introduce a programme of general support for the production of non-industrial
beers brewed according to traditional methods, such as those made by Trappist monks, which are excellent
products of special value, symbols of Europe’s age-old ‘savoir vivre’?