Minister of the Environment Jaanus Tamkivi is to attend a session of the European Union’s Environmental Council in Luxembourg on Thursday 5 June at which a package of climate and energy measures, genetically modified organisms and the European Parliament and Council’s decree on reducing the exhaust norms for new cars will come under discussion. The meeting will see an exchange of thoughts on the subject of the climate and energy package, which is designed to provide European Union member states with guidelines on the implementation of EU objectives in the fields of climate change, the certainty of energy supplies and increasing competitiveness. The report on the success of the package of climate and energy measures, supported by Estonia, will also be passed during the session. “The report reflects the agreements which have been reached to date as well as some other issues which are still to be resolved in terms of climate and energy policy,” explained Minister Tamkivi. One such issue is energy security, to which, in Estonia’s view, greater attention should be paid. Estonia also has its own position with regard to geologic carbon dioxide storage, in which its mineral connection and landfill, particularly where oil shale ash is concerned, must be taken into account as well as the technology used. Also scheduled for debate at the meeting is the amendment of the EU’s emissions trading system making the conditions stricter so as to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union are reduced by 20% by 2020. Estonia sees the need for the energy and industrial sectors involved in the emissions auctions to be clarified as well as the inclusion of electricity importers as part of the system. Estonia will also be seeking a partially free quota for electricity production. “Estonia has already reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by more than half, but since we will be relying on oil shale in electricity production and to meet the needs of the domestic market for the foreseeable future, we need a transition regime in electricity production that isn’t quite so harsh in implementing the new auction system,” Tamkivi said. The session will also examine problems associated with the growing of genetically modified plants. “France has drawn attention to the fact that growing genetically modified plants can affect people’s health and the environment, as a result of which the risks need to be thoroughly examined and weighed up,” Tamkivi explained, adding that the issue is an important one to Estonia and that the country supports, in principle, the French proposals designed to increase the efficiency of GMO supervision. The final item for discussion at the meeting will be the European Parliament and Council’s decree establishing emission norms for new cars as part of the overall measures designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. “Estonia supports the proposals of the commission here, including the one that all cars falling under the decree’s jurisdiction must meet its norms by 2012,” the minister said. In the establishment of further possible target levels for carbon dioxide Estonia feels that it is necessary to rely on the impact studies carried out by the commission. For further information please contact: Allan Gromov (4.06.2008) |
