Resolution on the European Union strategy for the Buenos Aires Conference on Climate Change COP-10, December 2004
The European Parliament adopted a resolution by 640 votes in favour, 22 against with 21 abstentions, and sent a message to the EU delegation which will take part in the negotiations at the COP-10 Conference in Buenos Aires on the 6-17 December. Parliament urged the EU to maintain its leading role in the negotiations at the COP-10 Conference in Buenos Aires. It stated that this is the time to start a wide-ranging debate on the main issues for the second commitment period with a view to attaining the EU objective of the average global temperature increase peaking below + 2°C of pre-industrialised levels. In the long term the principle of equal rights per world citizen must be applied. All parties should continue discussions with a view to incorporating emissions from international flights and shipping into the emission reduction targets of the second commitment period from 2012. Parliament urged the EU and all other parties to the UNFCCC to monitor specifically transport emissions and possibly develop their own protocol for transport emissions.
Parliament went on to welcome the recent decision of the Russian Federation to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, thus enabling it to enter into force. The countries that have not ratified the Kyoto Protocol should do so as soon as possible, and Parliament called on the US Government to reconsider its decision not to participate. The Commission and the Member States are asked to stress the need for climate protection when holding dialogues with international partners, especially the United States and Russia, and to stress that relations between the EU and third states cannot remain unharmed in the absence of a constructive position on this matter.
Parliament noted the latest report of the European Environment Agencywhich indicates that Europe is warming faster than the global average as a result of climate change. The EU should redouble its efforts to meet the Kyoto Protocol targets, and set an example for the other parties to the Convention.
Finally, the European Parliament stressed the role of both measures to enhance energy efficiency (the potential is great in the EU) and renewable energy sources, especially the potential of biomass as a CO2-neutral energy form. It called on the Commission to assess legislative measures to support the production of energy from biomass.