By Martin Banks - 25th May 2010
We need a firm proposal towards taking this step
Jo Leinen
The chairman of parliament's influential environment committee has reiterated the assembly's commitment to higher EU emissions reduction targets.
The call by Socialist MEP Jo Leinen for a 30 per cent target comes on the eve of publication on Wednesday of the commission's much-awaited communication on EU climate commitments.
It also comes ahead of the next round of UN climate negotiations, due to take place from 31 May to 11 June in Bonn.
Following the failed Copenhagen UN summit on climate change in December, parliament adopted a resolution in which MEPs reiterated their desire for the EU to set an emissions reduction target of 30 per cent by 2020.
They also urged the commission to propose a unilateral increase on the current 20 per cent commitment.
To date, the EU's policy to move to 30 per cent remains conditional on the framework of a global agreement.
Leinen, who was head of parliament's delegation to the Copenhagen summit, said on Tuesday, "Parliament has already recognised that a unilateral move to a 30 per cent commitment is more affordable than before and as necessary as ever.
"I welcome that the commission is delivering its analysis on a 30 per cent reduction target. Now we need a firm proposal towards taking this step."
Parliament has also insisted that the EU "must respect" its commitments on fast-track climate financing to developing countries.
The German deputy said shortfalls remain in current allocations for 2010, as well as "uncertainty" on how much money will be 'fresh' funding, rather than reallocations or 'double counting' from existing development aid commitments.
Leinen said, "After the failure of the Copenhagen climate summit, it is essential to rebuild trust between industrialised and developing countries.
"The EU's credibility will be badly damaged if it fails to raise the pledged €7.2bn for climate protection projects in developing countries.
"Commission and council must act now to ensure promises are kept and mistrust is avoided."
Meanwhile, Greenpeace has moved to dispel industry "myths" that increasing CO2 emission targets will harm the sector and result in job losses.
A spokesman said, "Independent economic research found that there is no empirical evidence that more ambitious climate policies will result in mass relocation of industries outside of the EU.
"Competition for European industries mainly comes from within the EU and not from producers outside Europe.
"Industry lobbyists opposed to stronger climate and energy policies have claimed for some time that an upgrade of the EU's 2020 greenhouse gas emission reduction target from 20 per to 30 per cent would not be possible without cuts in industrial production and significant job losses.
"We wish to counter industry scaremongering and unravel some of the myths that underpin the commission's claims.
"On the contrary, some industry sectors are set to profit from weak EU emission reduction targets while doing nothing to reduce emissions."
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