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Europe's legal steps to slow climate change

Environment - 27-11-2008 - 16:13 update

The world's climate is changing, are we?

A World sea temperature scheme by ©NASA

If we are ever going to meet targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that lead to climate change, then some clear Europe-wide rules are needed. MEPs have spent the last few months finalising their response on behalf of Europe's voters.

It includes steps to reduce car emissions and more renewable energy and carbon capture technology which stores emissions before they reach the atmosphere. This feature looks at all the different aspects to the climate change package legislation.

It is all part of the European Union's pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020. The role of MEPs in the European Parliament is to play their part in the framing of the necessary laws.

The relevant energy industry and environment committees in the Parliament have been hard at work preparing amendments and suggestions to the European Commission's original proposal.

Next week on 4 December Members will debate the measures with representatives from the Council of Ministers in Brussels. Later in the month - between 15 and 18 December MEPs will vote on a series of reports concerning the issues when they hold their monthly sitting in Strasbourg.

This will come a few days after EU leaders debate Europe's steps to tackle climate change when they meet on 11-12 December in the European Council.

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