Work
05.April 2005 - 00:00
Supplementary question concerning the Commission's answer to Question E-2711/04 on emissions trading
How does the Commission reconcile the information given in its answer to Question E-2711/04 concerning tackling the inadequacies of the directive on emissions trading by 2013 and the Commission's efforts to implement the Lisbon Agenda?
In his speech of 9 December 2004 (SPEECH/04/531), which has been posted on the Commission's website, Commission President Barroso spoke about the Lisbon Strategy and the EU's competitiveness, saying, inter alia: ‘A renewed Lisbon Strategy should give priority to growth and jobs. The economy must be our motor to keep the broader Lisbon Agenda within reach.’ ‘I will be an active partner … Roll back or repeal legislation which has served its purpose, and make real progress on our ambitious programme to simplify existing rules.’ ‘I am convinced that our Commission will place a premium on growth and jobs, that we will be truly the “Lisbon Commission”’.
How does this approach accord with the fact stated in the Commission's answer to Question E-2711/04 that the corrections to the major defects in emissions trading will enter into force, at the earliest, in 2013, particularly bearing in mind that these defects seem most of all to penalise some of the best European enterprises, which operate on highly competitive international markets? Does the Commission agree that, merely by amending Annex III to the emissions trading directive, the regulatory committee cannot decisively influence the directive?
Is it correct that, as Community legislation in force, the emissions trading directive takes priority, while the Lisbon Objectives have the status only of a political declaration?
Answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission
The Commission has no difficulties in reconciling its reply to the Honourable Member's written question E-2711/04(1) on Member States’ national allocation plans for the period 2008-2012 and the Commission’s efforts to implement the Lisbon Agenda.
The Emissions Trading Directive 2003/87/EC(2) is a key instrument for reaching the Community’s international commitments in the field of climate change in a cost-effective way. Emission trading is a cost effective instrument, since it allows operators to decide on a case-by-case basis whether their cheapest option is to reduce emissions on site or to buy allowances in the allowance market. Moreover, the EU emissions trading scheme (ETS) is unique in that it will effectively identify the cheapest emission reduction options not only in the EU, but worldwide, through the ‘Linking Directive’(3). EU leadership will give European companies early mover advantages in the developing market for cleaner technologies and make them fit to compete in a global market in which carbon has become a scarce resource. The EU ETS can promote innovation and thus contribute to growth and jobs.
As stated in the reply to written question E-2711/04, the Commission believes that it would be premature to amend the emissions trading scheme before it has operated for a full year. The Commission will report to the Parliament and to the Council in 2006 and will propose amendments as appropriate and without undue delay. Meanwhile, a close monitoring of the functioning and impact of the EU ETS is already being undertaken.
The Commission has established contacts with the authorities of some third countries listed in Annex B to the Kyoto Protocol about linking their greenhouse gas emissions trading schemes to the EU emissions trading scheme. This is a sign that the awareness of and action against climate change is being taken seriously in more and more countries around the world and should alleviate concerns about the international competitiveness of EU industry.
(1) OJ C
(2) Directive 2003/87/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC, OJ L 275, 25.10.2003.
How does the Commission reconcile the information given in its answer to Question E-2711/04 concerning tackling the inadequacies of the directive on emissions trading by 2013 and the Commission's efforts to implement the Lisbon Agenda?
In his speech of 9 December 2004 (SPEECH/04/531), which has been posted on the Commission's website, Commission President Barroso spoke about the Lisbon Strategy and the EU's competitiveness, saying, inter alia: ‘A renewed Lisbon Strategy should give priority to growth and jobs. The economy must be our motor to keep the broader Lisbon Agenda within reach.’ ‘I will be an active partner … Roll back or repeal legislation which has served its purpose, and make real progress on our ambitious programme to simplify existing rules.’ ‘I am convinced that our Commission will place a premium on growth and jobs, that we will be truly the “Lisbon Commission”’.
How does this approach accord with the fact stated in the Commission's answer to Question E-2711/04 that the corrections to the major defects in emissions trading will enter into force, at the earliest, in 2013, particularly bearing in mind that these defects seem most of all to penalise some of the best European enterprises, which operate on highly competitive international markets? Does the Commission agree that, merely by amending Annex III to the emissions trading directive, the regulatory committee cannot decisively influence the directive?
Is it correct that, as Community legislation in force, the emissions trading directive takes priority, while the Lisbon Objectives have the status only of a political declaration?
Answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission
The Commission has no difficulties in reconciling its reply to the Honourable Member's written question E-2711/04(1) on Member States’ national allocation plans for the period 2008-2012 and the Commission’s efforts to implement the Lisbon Agenda.
The Emissions Trading Directive 2003/87/EC(2) is a key instrument for reaching the Community’s international commitments in the field of climate change in a cost-effective way. Emission trading is a cost effective instrument, since it allows operators to decide on a case-by-case basis whether their cheapest option is to reduce emissions on site or to buy allowances in the allowance market. Moreover, the EU emissions trading scheme (ETS) is unique in that it will effectively identify the cheapest emission reduction options not only in the EU, but worldwide, through the ‘Linking Directive’(3). EU leadership will give European companies early mover advantages in the developing market for cleaner technologies and make them fit to compete in a global market in which carbon has become a scarce resource. The EU ETS can promote innovation and thus contribute to growth and jobs.
As stated in the reply to written question E-2711/04, the Commission believes that it would be premature to amend the emissions trading scheme before it has operated for a full year. The Commission will report to the Parliament and to the Council in 2006 and will propose amendments as appropriate and without undue delay. Meanwhile, a close monitoring of the functioning and impact of the EU ETS is already being undertaken.
The Commission has established contacts with the authorities of some third countries listed in Annex B to the Kyoto Protocol about linking their greenhouse gas emissions trading schemes to the EU emissions trading scheme. This is a sign that the awareness of and action against climate change is being taken seriously in more and more countries around the world and should alleviate concerns about the international competitiveness of EU industry.
(1) OJ C
(2) Directive 2003/87/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC, OJ L 275, 25.10.2003.