By Martin Banks - 20th June 2007
Independent experts are to be hired to study parliament’s carbon-dioxide emissions, its ‘carbon footprint’, it has emerged.
The assembly’s bureau decided in Strasbourg to commission a study to measure the full extent of its CO2 emissions.
The issue has come under the spotlight recently amid increasing clamour for parliament to axe the monthly commute to Alsace.
This follows a recent survey which revealed that the journey of 785 MEPs, plus staff, between Brussels and Strasbourg generates 20,000 tonnes of unnecessary CO2 emissions.
The decision to commission a carbon footprint study was taken at a meeting of the bureau, parliament’s key decision-making body comprising president Hans-Gert Poettering and 14 vice-presidents, during this week’s plenary.
The bureau also approved a list of ‘key actions’ and environmental objectives, all aimed at achieving a “significant” reduction in parliament’s CO2 emissions.
“Proposed measures include more economical use of water, reduction in paper use, efficient transport and awareness-raising,” said a parliament spokesman.
The spokesman declined to say how much the carbon footprint study will cost but said the results should be ready by next March.
A working group may also be set up to monitor the assembly’s CO2 emissions, said the spokesman.
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