07 October 2008 - The European Parliament environment committee today voted by near unanimity (1) in favour of a report on the effort sharing of emissions reductions by member states. The legislative decision deals with greenhouse gas emissions reductions from all sectors not covered by the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme.

Dr Caroline Lucas, Green MEP for the South East and Leader of the UK Green Party, commented after the vote:

"MEPs have today voted in favour of effective EU rules for delivering the necessary reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The almost unanimous support for the report sends a strong message to the Council that the European Parliament is serious about delivering on the EU’s climate commitments.

"The committee has voted to maintain the automatic increase of the EU’s emissions reductions target to 30% following an international climate agreement. While the Greens regret that the legislation has not been based on a 30% reduction from the outset (i.e. assuming a positive outcome to the climate negotiations), we are glad that attempts to undermine the automatic increase of the target were not successful.

"In addition, MEPs voted in favour of setting out long term emissions reductions targets (50% by 2035 and 60-80& by 2050). This is crucial for the credibility of the EU for playing a lead role in the negotiation of a meaningful international climate deal.

"Crucially, Euro-MPs have voted to decrease the amount of overall emissions reductions that can be delivered through the purchase of external offsets (such as the CDM/JI instruments) (2). Climate experts have made clear that we need to make significant domestic reductions in our greenhouse gas emissions. We cannot just buy our way out of making reductions and MEPs have recognised this.

"We have also voted in favour of ensuring that the rules have real teeth by strengthening the measures for guaranteeing compliance. The introduction of a balanced fine and sanction system will ensure that member states must take their emissions reductions commitments seriously (3).

"The outcome of today’s vote gives the European Parliament a strong basis for negotiations with the Council. It is also a clear mandate for strong and meaningful EU emissions reductions rules."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

(1) The environment committee voted to adopt the report on effort sharing with 66 votes in favour and 1 vote against.

(2) MEPs have voted to limit proportion of external offsetting that can be used to 8% of the level of 2005 emissions over the 8 years of the legislation (2013-20). This would equate to around 20% of the overall emissions reduction effort. The original Commission proposal would have meant that up to 60% of the overall emissions reduction effort could be delivered by the purchase of external offsets.

In exchange, MEPs voted to increase the proportion of internal flexibility i.e. allowing member states, which have overachieved their emissions targets to trade the excess.

(3) The committee voted to introduce fines of €100 per tonne of CO2 reductions missed, while member states would also lose a complementary amount of their ETS allowance. In addition, member states would have to multiply their reduction effort by 1.3 for the following year for those excess reductions