Formal proposal for amendment for consideration at the 27th meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol

20.3.2015

Question for written answer E-004552-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Jo Leinen (S&D) , Seb Dance (S&D) , Ian Duncan (ECR) , Bas Eickhout (Verts/ALE) , Karl-Heinz Florenz (PPE) , Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (ALDE) , Kateřina Konečná (GUE/NGL) , Merja Kyllönen (GUE/NGL) , Peter Liese (PPE) , Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D)

In its resolution of 26 November 2014 on the 2014 UN Climate Change Conference — COP 20 in Lima, Peru[1], Parliament called on the Commission and on the Member States to submit a formal proposal for amendment for consideration at the 27th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol.

So far, talks on existing amendment proposals have not made progress. Thanks to the credibility the EU has gained as a world leader on policies concerning fluorinated gases, however, it is now in an excellent position to play the role of an honest broker and to come forward with a proposal that may convince all partners to open negotiations.

1. An agreement to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) at international level would be a strong signal ahead of the Paris 2015 Climate Change Conference (COP21). Is the EU committed to actively facilitating global action on HFCs under the Montreal Protocol?

2. Will the EU submit its proposal for amendment by the end of April 2015?

3. If so, in what way will the proposal be designed so as to accommodate the numerous valid concerns of critical Parties and to avoid the problems that have plagued proposals by other Parties in the past, in line with the EU discussion paper presented at the 26th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP26)?

• [1] Texts adopted, P8_TA(2014)0063.