Doc. 8320
10 February 1999

Scientific and technological possibilities of applying the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Tiuri and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.        Over the past several decades, an increasing concentration of greenhouse gases has been detected in the Earth's atmosphere. Most experts agree that the continuous accumulation of greenhouse gases will lead to an increase in the average temperature of the Earth's surface and will cause a variety of changes in the global climate, sea level, agricultural patterns, and ecosystems that could be, overall, detrimental.

2.        The Assembly has already urged for action in its Resolution 926 (1989) on the danger of climatic changes and the protection of the ozone layer, Recommendation 1130 (1990) on the formulation of a European charter and a European convention on environmental protection and sustainable development, Recommendation 1140 (1991) on global environmental change and the role of science and democracy and Resolution 987 (1992) on climate change.

3.        The third meeting of the signatories of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place in Kyoto in December 1997. Representatives from more than 160 countries negotiated binding limits on greenhouse-gas emissions for developed nations. The resulting Kyoto Protocol established emission targets for 2010 for each of the participant developed countries, relative to their 1990 emissions levels.

4.        The Kyoto Protocol gives a clear signal to governments, businesses and households that, with limits being placed on future emissions of greenhouse gases, the time has come to begin developing and using appropriate technologies to meet these limits. The technologies should make the reductions possible without forcing the society to give up the present benefits of the processes which are generating greenhouse gases.

5.        The fourth meeting of the Parties to the UNFCCC was held in Buenos Aires in November 1998. It adopted an Action Plan establishing deadlines for finalising work on the Kyoto mechanisms, compliance issues and policies and measures.

6.        The main causes for the greenhouse-gas emissions are the production and use of energy. Especially important is electrical energy, because the need for electricity is expected to grow significantly in the future. The electricity sector should therefore be particularly involved in finding appropriate ways to reduce the emissions of greenhouse-gases.

7.        Saving of electricity and efficiency improvement are important factors in lowering greenhouse-gas emissions. However, the most important thing is to promote the use and development of electricity production systems that produce less greenhouse-gases or no greenhouse-gases at all.

8.        When considering electricity production it is important to take into account that fine-particle emissions must also be avoided, because they cause human illnesses and deaths (Recommendation 1390 (1998), Doc. 8167).

9.        Optimistic estimations about the possibilities of new electricity sources such as solar, wind and biomass have been presented. However, these sources are still in the development phase. There is a danger that unrealistic expectations can lead astray and assumed reductions of greenhouse-gases will not be realised.

10.        At present only hydropower and nuclear power produce large quantities of electricity without greenhouse-gas emissions. All fossil fuels combustion produces greenhouse-gases and fine-particles, natural gas having the lowest emissions.

11.        According, the Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

i.       calls upon the governments of member states of the Council of Europe, as well        as the European Union;

a. to find out realistic plans for the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions in electricity production, at the same time taking into account the need to avoid fine-particle emissions;

b. to support strongly the development of electricity production by the use of renewable energy sources and of all sources not producing greenhouse-gases or fine-particles;

c. to encourage the development of "clean technologies" for fossil electricity – e.g. clean coal technologies and gas-fired plants with reinjection of carbon dioxide etc.

ii.       encourages the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe to play an active role in the promotion of the local use of renewable and clean sources of electricity wherever they are exploitable

Signed : ¹

Tiuri, Finland, EDG

About, France, LDR

Beaufays, Belgique, EPP/CD

Birraux, France, EPP/CD

Dromberg, Finland, EDG

Elo, Finland, SOC

Fernandez Aguilar, Spain, EPP/CD

Liiv, Estonia, LDR

Luczak, Poland, EPP/CD

Luhtanen, Finland, SOC

Lotz, Hungary, LDR

Naysmith, United Kingdom, SOC

Raskinis, Lithuania, EPP/CD

Roseta, Portugal, EPP/CD

Strizhko, Ukraine, UEL

Wittbrodt, Poland, EPP/CD

_______________

       SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group