Commission launches consultation on climate change policy

The European Commission has launched a web-based consultation on the future of its climate change policy giving stakeholders the opportunity to contribute to the debate. The Commission will use the contributions in the development of the EU's future climate change policy.


“Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our generation. The first Kyoto commitment period will end in 2012. Already now, we need to prepare for what comes after. The international community will soon start discussing how we can build on the Kyoto Protocol and launch a new phase of international co-operation on climate change. We will need to strengthen our efforts, put more ambitious targets in place and use innovative approaches to reach those targets. It is important that we base our contribution to this discussion on the knowledge and expertise available in society and that we take into account what citizens think,” said Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom.

Currently the EU is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 8% compared to 1990 levels, between 2008 and 2012. Recent studies, however, indicate that reductions of around 30% are needed by 2025 and 65% by 2050 if climate change is to be avoided.

The stakeholder consultation will provide input to the Commission’s climate change report to the Spring Council 2005, which will discuss future global and EU climate change policy.

All interested parties are invited to make substantive contributions through the web-based forum Action on Climate Change post 2012. The forum will be open for submissions until 31 October 2004.

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