EU summit urged to honour climate change commitments

Parliament's political groups are fearful that a summit opening in Brussels today will see attempts to dilute the EU's climate and energy package because of the economic crisis.

Multi-billion-euro bank rescue schemes are due to dominate the two-day meeting of EU leaders but they will also discuss the climate change package.

Daniel Cohn-Bendit, joint leader of the Greens in parliament, said, “The financial crisis must not be used as an excuse to dilute or postpone the measures urgently needed to protect our climate. The industry lobbies calling for this are showing the same kind of irresponsibility that led to the banking sector collapse.

"If allowed to go unchecked, the looming climate crisis could cost us many times more than the billions spent to buy our way out of this financial collapse.

"Heads of government must show a long-term view tomorrow. To avoid the threat of recession we urgently need a European investment offensive that also works for climate protection and the environmental renewal of Europe."

He added, "We hope for the spirit of Keynes at the negotiating table. We need a European investment plan for renewable energy, energy saving and efficiency measures, a climate-friendly building sector and sustainable transport. We also need to inject more support to education and training to equip Europe for the future.

"We call on EU leaders to open new avenues to finance this investment: for example by increasing the European Investment Bank's powers to provide credit for the necessary investment for our environment. Climate protection must not fall victim to the financial crisis."

Turning to the financial crisis, Bendit also said EU leaders “must – and will – admit the failure of neo-liberalist policies that have been blindly followed for decades.”

His comments come in the wake of the last week's decision by the parliament’s environment committee to reach agreement on key legislative proposals aimed at fighting climate change.

Also speaking ahead of the gathering, a leading Socialist MEP called on EU leaders to “confirm their determination to honour” their ambitious commitments on climate and energy policy.

PES group spokesman on environment policy, Italian deputy Guido Sacconi said, "It is now time for member states to propose a coherent package to kick off negotiations.

"In this respect, the Socialists look forward to working in close cooperation with member states in order to find a first reading agreement by the end of 2008.”

Meanwhile, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), which represents trade union groups throughout Europe, has called on the EU leaders to “give a European response to the double meltdown” of the financial system and the real economy.

John Monks, its general secretary, said, “Europe and its governments need to act not only urgently but also need to act as one. A systemic crisis calls for a systemic policy response.

“'Casino capitalism has failed and policy must change track. Europe can no longer allow its members to pursue the typical agenda of the national interest.

“If ‘beggar-thy- European neighbour’ policies continue, things will get pretty ugly. Instead, Europe needs to bundle resources and mobilize the power of acting together”.

Pierre Simon, president of Eurochambres, which represents chambers of commerce, said: “The views of an individual business, especially a small or medium-sized one, are easy to ignore, but these 750 plus entrepreneurs convey the concerns of 23 million businesses across Europe, so their cumulative impact is enormous.

"Policymakers, starting with the council today, must take notice of their concerns and work with them closely in finding solutions that will enable Europe to come out of recession and compete globally.”

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