Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-11-16-Speech-2-107"
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"en.20041116.10.2-107"2
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".
Mr President, I wish to begin by thanking Members for their kind words and their cooperation over the years. I hope to continue to follow this discussion, because this concerns not only the environment but also our survival on this planet and the economic and social consequences that affect us now. Thus, in the years to come, I hope to support and be involved in the initiatives to tackle climate change taken by the Barroso Commission.
I recall that we very rarely get reports from the Pacific Ocean – the vast expanse of water that covers one third of this planet – but where the effects of climate change are already affecting people living in small island states. It must be said that during all the debates on climate change over the past five years the speeches by representatives from the small island states have been the most impressive, because they can tell us their personal stories of how this affected their lives and the possibilities to continue to live on these small islands.
A lot of people would say that the Kyoto Protocol did not work, that it was flawed, and they would mention its negative aspects. It is not perfect, but what is the alternative to that one international legal framework, which has now been negotiated for ten years? Should we try to become involved in bilateral contacts between one state and another? To solve a global problem we need a truly global solution and framework. I have tried to turn it around and say that it is an ingenious protocol, because it combines sound science and the way the United Nations has put together the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change is unprecedented. Of course individual scientists will question the whole thing – that is their job! However, the fact remains that we have an in-depth knowledge of the problem. With sound science, we have common but differentiated responsibilities, meaning that the rich countries – those who emit eight or eighty times as much pollution the poor countries do – have a certain responsibility. But we involve them all. India and China sit at the same table as the rich countries, so we are able to talk to them and discuss what will happen after 2012. It also means that we have access to the so-called flexible mechanisms, meaning that we will do things in a cost-effective way. We will involve and mobilise different actors and use market forces for the good of the environment. That is why it is ingenious. We will have to revise it and work and change it for many years to come, but it is the one game there is in town in combating climate change. That is why I am also proud of the role the European Union has played over the years and I hope will continue to play. It is so important. For once we can show the rest of the world that sustainable development is possible; that we can find cost-effective means and measures and that we are willing to cooperate with each other.
Thanks to the European Parliament we have a very ambitious climate-change policy. I hope that will continue with your help. I wish your delegation and our EU delegation to COP 10 in Buenos Aires all the best."@en1
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