Dimas to call for EU climate-change panel

Europe needs a new group of experts to identify the best EU way to deal with the effects of climate change, according to a discussion paper from the European Commission scheduled to be published on 19 June.

The green paper on ‘adapting to climate change in Europe’ suggests setting up a steering group under the existing European Climate Change Programme (ECCP).

"The group will consist of 15 policymakers, leading scientists and representatives from civil society covering various economic and social sectors and different member states," suggests the paper. It would manage the work of several sub-groups. It could start meeting in November this year and produce a first report in mid-2008.

The green paper also suggests setting up a new €100 million Global Climate Alliance to fund adaptation projects in poor countries. Some €50m would come from the Commission, with the rest expected from member states.

The paper could be postponed until 26 June, giving Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas more time to recover from an eye-operation last month.

It will be open for comment on the EU’s approach to climate change adaptation, from the public and interest groups until 31 November. It lists current and future EU policies, including a green paper on agriculture and global warming later this year, and a communication on health and climate change in 2008.

Basing its findings on studies from the UN International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), UK economist Nicolas Stern, Greenpeace and EU-funded projects, the paper warns of climate change catastrophes in every member state unless Europe adapts quickly.

The paper suggests dividing future climate change adaptation measures into a "flexible four-pronged approach": EU action, international action, research and preparatory action, and the work of the new steering group.

Kit Vaughan of environmental group WWF UK said that the green paper was coming at a good time. "Anything that will increase policy coherence and encourage a more strategic approach to dealing with the impacts of climate change is welcome," he said.

Europe needs a new group of experts to identify the best EU way to deal with the effects of climate change, according to a discussion paper from the European Commission scheduled to be published on 19 June.