It's now or never for Europe to lead on Climate Change
Posted, December 04, 2008 @ 15:00
EU must live up to its commitments
Brussels, 4th December 2008 -- Ambitious environmental targets - achieved by incentivising industry to develop greener practises and technologies - must not be put on ice, Conservative environment spokesman John Bowis MEP, warned.
The EU's climate change package was debated in the European Parliament this morning, and is on the agenda at an Environment ministerial meeting in Brussels today. The package consists of: a review of the Emissions Trading System, a decision on effort sharing to divide reduction effort between member states, a directive on the capture and storage of CO2 and a directive on renewable energy sources.
A small group of countries is attempting to significantly water down the proposals, but Mr Bowis has urged MEPs and ministers to agree a strong package.
Mr Bowis said:
"It's now or never for the EU to act, and we must not shirk our responsibility.
"Growing an economy and turning it green are not contradictory aims, so long as we provide incentives for our businesses to invest in green technologies and practises.
"The EU is right to have ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gases, and to lead by example. If we do not live up to our commitments now, why should any other nation?"