Emission cuts generate more debate on targets

Date: 05/12/1996

EU governments remain sharply divided over the Union's future approach to reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other 'greenhouse' gases.

But despite these differences, the Irish presidency is determined to put together at least the outline of an EU negotiating position with which to enter talks with other Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Develpment countries.

A compromise discussed by experts this week called for a reduction of between 5&percent; and 10&percent; in emissions by 2005, compared with 1990 levels, and a cut of 10-20&percent; by 2010.

A group of countries including Finland, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and the UK backed the objectives. But the Germans, Austrians and Danes advocated setting levels at the upper end of these ranges and another group preferred no fixed targets.

“The truth is that most people basically favour the ideas that would suit their domestic set-up the best,” said an official.

Environment ministers are due to draw up conclusions when they meet in Brussels next Monday (9 December). Officials expect them to agree some sort of overall targets, but it is not yet clear whether these will be just to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, or all greenhouse gases.

Some member states are aware that if the EU sets over-ambitious goals, it may find itself marginalised in negotiations with other industrialised nations.

Agreement is less likely next week on how the Union will share out whatever reductions it decides upon between member states. Some countries argue that the conclusions should include the provision for less well-developed member states to increase emissions after 2000, an idea totally rejected by northern member states.

“We are expecting quite a dispute about burden-sharing next week, and a final agreement on how cuts will be shared out is more likely in March or even later,” said an official.

Pressure for an EU policy line has been heightened by the fact that the fifth meeting of the signatory countries to the United Nations' climate convention begins on the same day as next week's meeting of EU environment ministers.

The so-called ad hoc group on the Berlin Mandate is charged with preparing the ground for the next climate summit in Kyoto, Japan, in December next year. This aims to set new greenhouse gas emission targets for the period after 2000.

The Union is loath to commit itself to targets which go beyond those other blocs might be prepared to set for themselves. Some member states fear that if they set differential targets within the EU itself, this may encourage other signatories to believe they can get away with less stringent measures than the Union as a whole.

Hoping to put pressure on ministers, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has published a report claiming that “political paralysis in its current response is bringing the EU into disrepute”.