Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/1999-10-06-Speech-3-212"
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"en.19991006.7.3-212"2
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"Mr President, climate change is set to be one of our most difficult environmental challenges. What makes it so difficult is that, if we are to take the matter seriously, huge changes must be made in both the energy and transport sectors. What is probably also required, in spite of new technology and alternative energy sources, is less use of transport and lower energy consumption overall.
A large part of the responsibility for this lies, of course, with the individual Member States, but the EU too can do a great deal. My Group naturally supports this resolution which we have also been involved in drafting. I shall emphasise three points which are especially important for the EU in this situation.
The first point is that we must come up with a carbon dioxide levy, that is to say, a tax on greenhouse gases. I should like to emphasise what is stated in paragraph 15 of the resolution to the effect that it is probably better to have a decision of substance, even if we do not have everyone on board, than to have a decision lacking in substance which entails an unacceptable delay.
The second point concerns the subsidy for fossil fuels which is, of course, directly counter-productive. I also think that the EU’s energy research grants must focus solely on renewable sources of energy, which is not the case at present.
The third point concerns aviation fuel. It is a matter of urgency that agreement be reached on the international taxation of aviation fuel. Aviation is the area with the fastest increase in emissions of greenhouse gases. On this subject, I should like to hear a little more from Commissioner Wallström. What do you intend to do with regard to this particular area? What initiatives do you have under way?
To conclude, I should like to point out that there is a lot of scepticism in my group about trade in emission rights."@en1
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