Resolution on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP 3 to be held in Kyoto from 1 to 10 December 1997

OBJECTIVE: to establish a Community approach to the Kyoto Conference on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2000. SUBSTANCE: this Communication, on the subject of climate change, seeks to place the EU negotiating position in an overall context and is designed to show that it is both technically feasible and economically manageable to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 7.5% by 2005 and 15% by 2010 despite the upward trend in these emissions. The Communication, which constitutes a signal to the United States and Japan, emphasizes the following points: - the potential future damage and cost resulting from climate change make it imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions urgently (the direct cost to the EU between now and 2010 will be between ECU 15 and 35 billion); - industrialized countries must continue to take the lead; - emission reduction targets are technically feasible and economically manageable within the EU only if all industrialized countries make comparable efforts; - many of the measures needed for a cost-effective strategy are equally applicable to other industrialized countries; - the choice of the right mixture of instruments is essential for a cost-effective climate strategy; - given the political challenge and the need for action, the involvement of all parts of society and all sectors (transport, industry, electricity) will be needed; - the Commission will develop a more detailed climate change strategy on the basis of the commitments entered into in Kyoto. It should be remembered that the EU's negotiating position agreed by the Environment Council in March and June 1997 refers to a basket of three greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). �