Lukewarm reception to ‘weak’ and ‘expensive’ energy package

The European Commission presented its climate change package as a way to tackle global warming, secure energy supplies, gain competitive advantages and even as an argument for European unity.

Most MEPs gave the package a reasonably warm reception, but many expressed concern about the costs to business.

Karl-Heinz Florenz, a German centre-right MEP, said that the package should be seen as an opportunity, but raised concerns about the implications for the competitiveness of European companies. "When it comes to cross-border companies," he said, "you can’t give them shoes of lead and expect them to compete with the rest of the world."

Several MEPs joined green groups in criticising the EU’s biofuels target. Claude Turmes, a Luxembourg Green MEP, said that the target had been "imposed by carmakers and the sugar industry" and accused the Commission of not having the courage to drop it.

Environmental campaigners criticised the measures as too weak. Stephan Singer at WWF, the conservation group, said: "As the European Union has already reduced its emissions by about 10% since 1990, the 20% target is much softer than it apparently looks. Overall, it is a very small effort to cope with a threat that might lead to Arctic melting and displacement of millions of people in developing countries because of increased floods."

Business groups flagged competitiveness concerns. Ernest-Antoine Seillière, president of BusinessEurope, said: "It will now be crucial that the competitiveness of European industry is maintained." The European Chemical Industry Council said in a statement that "free emissions permits" were "the only workable solution, especially for energy-intensive industries".

Early reactions from member states were positive, but there was some muted concern from rich countries. Speaking ahead of the package, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Denmark’s prime minister, said that negotiations would be "very difficult" and that fair distribution of the measures must be ensured. Hilary Benn, the UK environment minister, welcomed the proposals but said that there was a need to "ensure there is collective effort from all member states to play their part in meeting the EU target".

The European Commission presented its climate change package as a way to tackle global warming, secure energy supplies, gain competitive advantages and even as an argument for European unity.