which would give a very bad economic signal

The gesture is symbolically. Last week, in the plenary, MEPs approved the report of the Environment Committee proposes to increase the reduction target of 20-30 greenhouse gas emissions to ambitious targets in Europe, regardless of the outcome of the international climate negotiations. Canvas of funds, the idea that such a decision, which still be approved by the heads of State would be in the interest of future economic growth of the European union. A position taken by the President of the environment, the German Social Democrat, Joe Leinen commission, for which the Union may accuse a technology behind China and the United States.

Since the end of 2009 Copenhagen Conference, the Union always submitted this rise to the adoption of binding measures by all global partners. Nevertheless, everything seems to indicate that the move to 30 may be subject to additional costs, estimated at 33 billion euros for the 27 Member States.

A necessary rebalancing

The effort of industries included in the carbon market should be increased to-34 compared to-21 from 2005 and the rest of the economy-16 instead of 10. It would not be, because the Union is ahead of its goals, which is endangering the continuity of the carbon market. Not only it will achieve the objectives set in Kyoto, representing a decrease of 8 of its 1990 emissions - EU-15 Member States having almost reached 7 in December 2008-, but in a Union of 27, emissions had already dropped from 17.3 in 2009 from the level reached in 1990.

The merits of the regulation

The effect of the economic crisis has played, but on the period, the Union has recorded economic growth of 40. "If the Union does not increase its objective, the price per tonne of carbon, which was already low, risk of collapse from 2012", provides an expert, "which would give a very bad economic signal, since the goal by 2050 is a decrease in emissions from 80 to 95 to avoid an increase in temperatures of 2 degrees average". Cancun, the European Union can at least boast, figures in support, all the merits of the regulation. His firmness to the automobile industry pays: a study shows that last year, emissions of new cars sold in the EU fell by 5.1 over the previous year.

The goal set at the automakers do not put on the market, from 2015, vehicles that emit more than 130 grams of CO2 per kilometre could also be achieved in advance. But do not forget that lle of the transport sector has increased its emissions by 29 between 1990 and 2007. This is why the Commission is currently fighting to impose binding targets for light commercial vehicles.

Likewise, she wishes to revive a more ambitious energy efficiency policy, because, in this field, the results are disappointing, recent studies showing that the Union will fail to save more than 11 of energy by 2020 instead of the 20 desired. The Commission should soon make proposals to impose a system of certificates of energy to all Member States, the most virtuous that can sell their certificates to the less virtuous, to create financial incentives for energy savings.