Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-10-25-Speech-3-268"
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"en.20001025.11.3-268"2
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"Mr President, Commissioner, a large proportion of the world population, especially in the Third World, will soon need boots to protect their feet from rising water levels. But recently, in Italy too, the dramatic effects made themselves felt. The exact relationship between CO2 emissions and global warming is not yet entirely clear, but that should not prevent us from taking drastic measures now. The precautionary principle is applicable here.
According to experts, we need to reduce current CO2 emission levels by 60% in order to halt climate change. We are now working towards an 8% reduction, which is already quite a task. Although we are rightly investing in more sustainable energy and greater efficiency, our intentions are not new. Yet, we need to establish that our dependence on fossil fuels has hardly fallen since the 70s. We therefore need to employ all possible means and use them to the full. That translates into an unqualified ‘yes’ to the trade in emission rights, provided it is thought through properly.
We still need to find solutions to major economic and political problems. Emissions trading could lead to a new form of colonialism. It is easier for rich countries to buy reductions in developing countries and thus acquit themselves of their responsibilities without giving the matter another thought. Technological innovation will be curtailed as a result.
The success of emissions trading will therefore depend on the price. If the price is too low, the purchase of emission rights will be very attractive indeed. Its success will also depend on support. The trade in emissions must be fair and must be able to rely on a level playing field in the sectors involved. The market must be deployed in a bid to promote sustained growth as well as fair distribution. This requires clear political choices. The Climate Conference at The Hague presents an opportunity to take global steps, an opportunity which we should not let slip. We must not hide behind the unwillingness of the United States. Sound cooperation between rich and poor countries is needed to achieve climate objectives. We must lay down equitable points of departure. Equal emission rights for all global citizens is not only an equitable step, it is also effective. It is a means of involving developing countries and of promoting technological efforts.
The Hague must also set an agenda for the future, of which equal emission rights for all the citizens of the world must certainly form a part. I would like to conclude by thanking the rapporteur for his work and wish the Commission every success."@en1
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