The New European energy policy is discussed today in Brussels during an extraordinary Energy Council. It will adopt a contribution by the Energy Ministers to the Spring Summit (23 and 24 March). The discussion on the new European energy policy is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2006.
The contribution of aviation to climate change is substantial - currently accounting for 5-12% of emissions in the EU - and growing rapidly. The EU international aviation emissions of CO2 between 1990 and 2003 increased by 73%, corresponding to an annual growth rate of 4.3% per year!
South East Europe - from crisis zone to peaceful European region
The title of this panel sets out an objective; 'from crisis zone to peaceful European region'. The panel defined the major challenges faced by the region - economic, social and others - and suggested possible approaches to the issue.
Critical voices and opposition against economic globalisation is likely, and rightly, to gain momentum in the near future, unless globalisation is combined with politically driven initiatives to reallocate wealth and to protect the environment.
EU Environment Council of Ministers on Climate Change
The EU Environment Ministers discussed on how to take forward measures to combat climate change agreed at the UN conference in Montreal last December. They had to decide post-2012 commitments by developed nations which have ratified the Kyoto Protocol.
The European Constitution has to be improved, and this goal is unrealistic without the cooperation of national parliaments with the European Parliament. This task demands the definition of fundamental principles without neglecting the concerns of European citizens.
The need to include all ethnic minorities in talks on the future status of Kosovo was the key message to emerge from a joint hearing in the European Parliament on 6 March.
Vulnerable Arctic - Warning signal of global warming
The seminar will look at the global impacts of the Arctic climate change, the Gulf Stream and the consequences for indigenous peoples. Both events are organised by Finnish Green MEP Satu Hassi. The exhibition (available online!) is organised in cooperation with the AMAP Secretariat (Norway).
Air pollution takes a heavy toll on lives and economy
Air pollution in the European Union has reached alarming levels, taking a high toll on human health and economic productivity. The actions to combat this problem must be intensified but the implementation and execution of already existing EU legislation must also be enforced.
Thanks to the Greens, the text adopted by the Energy Committee of the European Parliament on Tuesday 21 February is focused on energy savings and renewables rather than on nuclear and clean coal.
