'The future begins today': European Parliament adopts resolution on climate change
On 4 February, the European Parliament passed a resolution setting out clear objectives for EU climate-change policy. The report, entitled '2050: The future begins today - recommendations for the EU's future integrated policy on climate change', underlines the importance of cutting greenhouse gas emissions in developed countries from 1990 levels: by 25% to 40% for 2020, and by 80% for 2050. The resolution was adopted with 570 votes in favour, 78 against and 24 abstentions. The '2050 Report' proposes detailed measures to be taken in key economic sectors, and calls for climate change issues to be incorporated 'in all spheres and policies'. Importantly, the report acknowledges that long-term education efforts are crucial, particularly in terms of combating scepticism, as citizens need to be fully engaged in the process of tackling climate change. 'Climate change is both more rapid and more serious in terms of its adverse effects than was previously thought,' according to Parliament. It is important 'not to capitulate in the face of the complexity of the problem but to show a visionary desire to make a difference,' the MEPs (Members of European Parliament) wrote, adding: 'We are at a turning point in energy and climate policy.' The measures set out by the resolution seemingly touch on all areas of society: energy, biofuels, energy efficiency, mobility, carbon capture and storage, agriculture, forests, soil protection, water management, fisheries, waste and resource management and health, to name but a few. The MEPS believe that efforts to tackle climate change will bring noticeable economic and social benefits to European citizens. 'I am very pleased to see the explicit recognition throughout the report that the financial and economic crisis is no reason to postpone action against climate change,' said Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. 'Delay will only make it harder and more costly to reduce emissions later. Instead, we must see the stimulus that our economies need now as an opportunity to accelerate investment in the low-carbon industries and 'green' jobs of tomorrow. The Commission has seized this opportunity in its European Economic Recovery Plan which focuses on smart investments to promote sustainable prosperity.' The '2050 Report' recommends that the EU and Member States 'shall give support to research and development (R&D) in respect of technologies such as hydrogen, electric, fuel cells, hybrids or advanced biofuels'. The EU should create 'a European renewable-energy community to promote further research and pilot projects in this field,' the report reads. Additionally, an EU-wide 'supergrid', accessible to all forms of electricity providers, should be developed. The report highlights the importance of the EU's Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7) for the development of 'green' energy sources, and calls on the Council and the Commission to support energy priorities in forthcoming research-framework programmes. 'Improved efficiency alone will not spark off a technological revolution,' according to the report, 'but will necessitate an integrated strategy at EU, national and local level to boost R&D in novel and advanced technologies and processes, and to strengthen their take-up.' For their part, the MEPs say: 'Incentives should be made available for citizens to reduce emissions in an affordable way, for example by developing information on the carbon content of products and services.' Additionally, long-term targets for the building sector should be 'net zero-energy performance in new residential buildings by 2015 and in new commercial and public buildings by 2020'. Free energy audits should be provided by the Member States so that citizens are empowered to reduce their energy consumption and their emissions, the report notes. Regarding fission-based nuclear power, irrespective of the approach of individual Member States, special attention must be paid towards managing radioactive waste and its full cycle, with a view to improving safety. In terms of nuclear fusion, the report considers that 'research into the technological feasibility of nuclear fusion in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor is the first step towards the objective of commercial utilisation of this form of energy, and stresses that the achievement of that goal is highly dependent on long-term guarantees of funding for such research.' The 2050 Report stresses that solar-energy partnerships should be created with third countries in the Mediterranean region. Also, funding for R&D focused on new and more environmentally friendly methods of cultivation and farm management should be provided, and funding for research into innovative technologies for the desalination of sea water, new irrigation systems and agricultural and urban water consumption, and for pilot projects to reduce damage from drought or flooding should be made available. In conjunction with these recommendations, Parliament urges the Commission and Member States to support the United Nations' call for a 'Green New Deal'. 'This very comprehensive report further demonstrates the European Parliament's clear commitment both to an ambitious EU climate policy and to contributing actively to its development,' remarked Commissioner Dimas. 'This commonality of views between the institutions is essential to maintain Europe's leadership in the international negotiations on a new global climate deal. We need to work together and mobilise all our resources to ensure a strong and effective agreement is reached at the [United Nations'] Copenhagen climate conference in December.'