WRITTEN QUESTION P-2299/03 by Mechtild Rothe (PSE) to the Commission. Objectives for energy from renewable sources up to 2020.
Date: 2003-07-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: electrical energy, energy consumption, energy policy, reduction of gas emissions, renewable energy

6.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58 E/155

to discard them for
The campaign seeks to encourage Málaga’s citizens not
subsequent recycling. In doing so it contradicts basic environmental principles and Directive 91/156/
EEC (1) (which requires institutions firstly to prevent waste production, secondly to encourage re-use, and
thirdly to recycle waste, in that order).

to re-use objects but

Is the Commission aware of the aforementioned campaign? Will it say whether or not the campaign has
been financed from the Cohesion Fund? If so, what measures does it intend to take in this regard?

Does it believe that
environmentally friendly practices of the very citizens it is targeting?

this campaign may give rise to misleading information and undermine the

(1) OJ L 78, 26.3.1991, p. 32.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(10 September 2003)

The top priority of Community waste policy is to prevent waste. Accordingly, re-use of products ought to
be encouraged wherever possible. Where waste is nevertheless produced, preference should go to recovery,
notably recycling.

Waste management and processing projects co-financed by the ERDF or the Cohesion Fund often include
awareness campaigns, though this does not mean that the Commission is fully familiar with the contents
thereof.

The awareness campaign at issue here was funded by the Cohesion Fund (ERDF).

At its request, the Spanish authorities sent the Commission a report on the campaign, which included the
following information:

The general idea of the campaign was to move gradually towards the integrated management of solid
waste by according priority to:

(cid:1) trying to reduce the quantity of waste;

(cid:1) re-utilising as much waste as possible where the quantity cannot be reduced;

(cid:1) in addition to the previous two phases, recycling waste which cannot be re-used.

The campaign was intended to raise public awareness of the importance of recycling waste by separating it
and using containers properly, and to inform and educate the population regarding separate waste
collection, inter alia by explaining its impact on the environment.

Lastly, the campaign slogan was not intended to promote recycling at the expense of re-use, but simply to
inform the public about the use of different containers for separate waste collection.

(2004/C 58 E/168)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2299/03

by Mechtild Rothe (PSE) to the Commission

(7 July 2003)

Subject: Objectives for energy from renewable sources up to 2020

The European Union first committed itself in 1998 in a White Paper to a ‘Community Strategy and Action
Plan’ to double the proportion of renewables in total energy consumption by 2010.

C 58 E/156

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2004

A significant legislative measure towards this end was taken by Directive 2001/77/EC (1). This directive
states as its target that the EU Member States should derive 22,1 % of total Community electricity
consumption from renewable energy sources by 2010. No objectives are set beyond 2010.

What progress has been made in the Commission towards setting objectives after 2010?

Has the Commission already drawn up analyses and scenarios providing objectives for 2020?

If so, what are they?

If not, when does the Commission propose to set such objectives?

To what extent are such objectives incorporated into the strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

(1) OJ L 283, 27.10.2001, p. 33.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(9 September 2003)

First, it is necessary to ensure that the target already set for 2010 will be achieved.

This target requires an increase of more than six percentage points in renewable energy’s share between
1997 and 2010. So far, the increase has been less than one percentage point. Therefore, growth in the use
of renewable energy is too slow to give confidence that the 2010 target will be met. It is important for
Member States to give priority to fulfilling the requirements laid down by the directives on renewable
energy in electricity (1) and on biofuels (2).

As far as targets for 2020 are concerned, the Commission is analysing the matter, drawing on studies that
it is co-financing, and intends to bring forward proposals in due course. The contribution of renewable
energy to reducing greenhouse gas emissions will constitute an important parameter to be taken into
account when considering prospects for 2020, in connection with the overall strategy to fight against
climate change.

(1) Directive 2001/77/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 27 September 2001 on the promotion of electricity

produced from renewable energy sources in the internal market, OJ L 283, 27.10.2001.

(2) Directive 2003/30/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 8 May 2003 on the promotion of the use of biofuels

or other renewable fuels for transport, OJ L 123, 17.5.2003.

(2004/C 58 E/169)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2334/03

by Norbert Glante (PSE) to the Commission

(11 July 2003)

Subject: Abolition of

tax assessment on the basis of estimated earnings through the imposition of
restrictions on the right to deduct pursuant to Article 17(6) of the sixth directive on turnover taxes

Are moves being made in the EU to impose comprehensive restrictions on the right to deduct pursuant to
Article 17(6) of the directive on turnover taxes and so bring about a switch from tax assessment on the
basis of estimated earnings to assessment on the basis of actual earnings in connection with the taxation of
firms’ turnover?

Which EU Member States restrict the right to deduct and thus assess actual earnings, and what successes
have they achieved as regards improving the cash flow of, above all, small and medium-sized firms?

In the EU as a whole are freelance workers assessed, as in Germany, on the basis of their actual earnings
with no turnover tax limit?