Mixed reaction to EU climate and energy package

MEPs have given their full backing to the EU climate and energy package during its first reading in parliament.

The so-called 20-20-20 package aims to cut the EU's CO2 emissions by 20 percent compared to 1990 levels, make energy savings to the tune of 20 per cent and to increase the use of renewable energy to 20 per cent of the total - all by the year 2020.

However, reaction to the much-anticipated vote in Strasbourg on Wednesday was mixed with British Tory MEP John Bowis, his party’s environment spokesman, declaring, “We give two cheers for the package MEPs have agreed.”

He said the “ambitious” measures would help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

"We are disappointed, however, that Europe's governments, including Britain, failed to provide a lead to the world and agreed to water down the proposals, particularly on emissions trading,” said Bowis.

The EPP-ED spokesperson on the issue, German deputy Werner Langen, called the proposals “a major step” towards a greater use of energy from renewable sources.

“This will make Europe more independent from outside suppliers as well as helping protect our environment.”

ALDE shadow rapporteur on the renewables package, Fiona Hall, a UK member, said, "The renewables part of the climate package will bring radical change to how EU energy is sourced.

“The renewables industry is offered legal certainty and the sweeping away of current barriers such as lack of connection to the grid. If parliament had had its way, certain requirements would have been more stringent.”

Italian GUE/NGL MEP Roberto Musacchio, deputy chairman of parliament's temporary committee on climate change, said: "The package was severely weakened due to the selfishness of member states and to pressures exerted by industry.

“It is, nonetheless, a step forward because it provides some innovative answers on issues such as renewable energies and places Europe in the vanguard at world level."

Further comment came from BusinessEurope director general Philippe de Buck, who was in Strasbourg for the vote and said, “It is true that this is a historic decision. But I am still concerned about the cost effect on European companies which have already done a great deal to reduce emissions and to increase energy efficiency.”

Delia Villagrasa, senior advisor to WWF, said, “This is not quite the third industrial revolution trumpeted when proposals were presented at the beginning of the year.

“The 20 per cent target sounds nice in words but is void because EU countries are allowed to accomplish approximately three quarters of the effort outside EU borders, which translates into European emission reduced by only 4 to 5 per cent between now and 2020.”

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