Greening the Parliament. Liberal Democrat group leader demands that EP reform agenda reduce carbon footprint

2.55.04pm GMT Thu 15th Mar 2007

In a week of broad consensus and increasing awareness of the imminence of climate change and the need for swift action, the European Parliament's Working Group on internal reform, meeting yesterday approved a proposal from Graham Watson, ALDE group leader, to extend its remit to reducing Parliament's own carbon footprint.

"Parliament must practice what it preaches."

"Parliament already has its own eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) to promote good practice but we need to see real commitment across the House to take serious and practical steps to reducing our carbon footprint. This should look at all areas of activity from paper use, light bulbs, heating and means of travel to see where we can make energy savings. It should also look at best practice across the Union in parliaments and government ministries."

TEMPORARY COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Parliament's Group Leaders also approved today the setting up of a Temporary Committee on climate change following proposals from the two largest groups. Graham Watson though abstained in the vote as he considered the move to be essentially window-dressing whilst avoiding the real decisions that begin by altering the attitudes and behaviour from MEPs themselves to the wider public.

"It is all well and good for the EPP and PES groups to propose the setting up a non-legislative Temporary Committee but climate change is not something that can be resolved in a year by adding another committee to our existing standing committee on the Environment. Furthermore, the effects of climate change are already plain for all to see without Parliament commissioning more studies and hearing more experts. My group will participate in the committee but it might prove more of a distraction than a decisive action."

"What we need urgently is more action and fewer words. It is for all groups to agree to practical steps to green our institution and support the work of our environment committee in adopting ambitious and practical legislative proposals for the Union and reach a global consensus on a post Kyoto Treaty by the end of 2007."