Calling To Account On Climate Change
- March 31st, 2007
- Posted by EUEditor
Less than a month after EU leaders elevated climate change to the top rank in their list of concerns, six member governments are under censure for not meeting their commitments in that field. The European Commission announced on 22.3.07 it was taking legal action, which begins with consultations and warnings, and can move on to action before the European Court of Justice.
It said Bulgaria, Italy and Malta were being challenged over failure to provide complete reports on their progress in limiting emissions of carbon dioxide.
Luxembourg would be taken to court, and both Estonia and Greece would be given final warnings, for not communicating important technical informaton relating to greenhouse gas emission targets, under the Kyoto protocol.
Europe is a signatory to Kyoto and on 9.3.07 its heads of government affirmed a new policy to achieve a radical reduction in pollutant gas – 20% less CO2 in 20 years, based on levels in 1990.
Some European legislation and policy is directly enforceable by the executive body, the European Commission; most has to be implemented by member state governemnts. They are bound to do it, otherwise becoming subject to sanctions.