Webbdebate with key MEPs February 10
2009 is a crucial year for global climate change policy, with a series of meetings leading up to December's United Nations conference in Copenhagen.
As in the Poznan talks last December, a delegation of the (newly elected) European Parliament will go to Copenhagen to press for an ambitious deal. Throughout the year, the EU will also be reflecting on whether it has the measures in place to meet the emission reduction targets agreed in its December 'climate-energy package'.
Against this background, the eCommittee organized two sessions with key MEPs, on February 10th. The first discussed the role of the developed countries, in particular the EU, in the international climate talks, and the second the role of developing countries. Key topics included:
- What should be the emissions targets for Annex I (developed) countries and non-Annex I (developing) countries?
- How much money should be allocated to adaptation to the effects of climate change?
- How can efficient technology transfers between developed and developing countries be secured?
- Ultimately, how can developed and developing countries be brought together on these issues? Can the EU play a leadership role here?
For the session on the role of the developed (Annex-I) countries at 12:30-13:00 CET, the following MEPs participated: Avril Doyle (EPP, IRL), Anders Wijkman (EPP, SE) and Linda Mc Avan (PSE, UK).
For the session on the role of the developing countries at 13:00-13:30 CET, the following MEPs participated: Satu Hassi (Greens, FI), Vittorio Prodi (ALDE, IT) and Jens Holm (GUE, SE).
Moderator: Tomas Wyns, Senior Policy Officer, CAN Europe.
Welcome to post your input about the debate under the Swedish Forum.
Best regards Ylva Rylander, Westander Climate and Energy
Swedish National Moderator for the eCommittee
The Swedish EU Presidency
On 1 July 2009 Sweden will take on the role as EU Presidency. For six months, Sweden will lead the EU's work and be responsible for moving developments forward in a number of important EU issues. Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström is responsible for the Government's preparations. All ministries are involved in preparing the Presidency.
From the beginning of 2007 the three consecutive Presidency countries work together to improve continuity in the work of the EU. Close contacts at all levels in the three countries will enable the issues on the agenda to be handled more effectively. Sweden is part of a Presidency Troika with France (EU President in autumn 2008) and the Czech Republic (President in spring 2009).
Sweden's overarching themes for the 18-month period are prominent in the programme:
- Climate, energy and environment
- Jobs, growth and competitiveness
- A safer and more transparent Europe
- The Baltic Sea region and relations with neighbouring countries
- The EU as a global actor and continued enlargement
Sweden will take over the EU-presidency July 1, 2009
Source: The Swedish Government
Swedish MEP:s
At the moment there are 19 Swedish Members of the European Parliament. There are currently five Swedish Members of the European Parliament who are members of the ENVI and/or CLIM Committee.
Swedish stakeholders
Here is a list of Swedish stakeholders who are active in the climate debate.
Emissions in Sweden 1990-2006
In 2006, Sweden emitted 65.7 million tonnes of greenhouse gases. Compared with 2005, this is a decrease of almost 1.2 million tonnes. Emissions are around 8.7 per cent below 1990 levels.
Over the period 1990-2006, emissions ranged between 65.7 million tonnes (2006) and 77.3 million tonnes (1996). Variations between years are largely due to variation in precipitation and in temperature in the winter months (need for heating). However, emissions have shown a slight downtrend since 1996.
Emissions in recent years are all lower than the emissions in the base year of 1990:
- 5.2 per cent lower in 2000
- 4.3 per cent lower in 2001
- 2.9 per cent lower in 2002
- 1.9 per cent lower in 2003
- 3.3 per cent lower in 2004
- 7.1 per cent lower in 2005
- 8.7 per cent lower in 2006
There are currently five Swedish Members of the European Parliament who are members of the ENVI and/or CLIM Committee.
Here is a list of Swedish stakeholders who are active in the climate debate.
Source: Swedish EPA