… But can it deliver on the environment?

Germany’s Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel last month criticised Finland for not doing enough to protect the environment after taking over the rotating EU presidency in July.

Gabriel’s comments, made at a UN climate change conference in Nairobi, are being seen as a promise that Germany will deliver more on green issues in the first half of 2007. A German presi-dency official confirmed that there would be "long lists of topics at every environment council".

Much of this environmental work will tie in with EU efforts to improve energy policies. A ‘renewables roadmap’ in January is expected to suggest that the EU states have compulsory targets for renewable energy. An energy efficiency action plan, which the Commission published last June, will also continue on its way through the European Parliament and, under German pilotage, through the Council of Ministers.

A deal on major revisions to EU chemicals legislation looks set for completion this month, under the Finnish presidency. Should last-minute difficulties prevent MEPs and ministers from reaching a final deal on REACH, Germany will be left managing messy ‘conciliation’ talks.

But the top environmental issue for Germany will be climate change. Environment officials have for years argued the case for drast-ically reducing EU carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, but in recent months climate change has made it to the top of every list of political priorities.

A Commission paper on EU climate change policy after 2012, when the first round of commitments under the Kyoto Protocol ends, is due early next year. Germany has said it will work to agree a ‘negotiating package’ for post-2012 measures.

The EU’s flagship emissions reduction programme, an emissions trading scheme (ETS) for carbon dioxide, will come up for review under the German presidency.

Germany will be handling proposals to include aviation in the ETS and to set binding CO2 emission reduction targets for car manufacturers.

German officials say Berlin will also be giving much attention to a pro-posal to protect soil from chemicals and erosion, along with a strategy to encourage recycling and reduce EU waste.

Germany’s Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel last month criticised Finland for not doing enough to protect the environment after taking over the rotating EU presidency in July.