I’ve neglected this blog for far too long, and it’s time to restart regular blogging. So my first topic is one which I followed for a while last year: the Energy and Climate Package. Actually, it isn’t specifically about that, rather it’s about what one of the outcomes of that was meant to be.

The Commission wanted to achieve a moral high-ground with the Package. Essentially, it should have poured icy cold water on the argument that the advanced portions of the developing world shouldn’t have to act on climate change in any strenuous way, as they didn’t make the problem, and the developed world has benefited hugely from emissions of greenhouse gases. Aside from the fact that this argument for non-action can be negated by matters of self-interest for the developing world, it was a fairly good idea of the Commission to try to lead the way.

Unfortunately (or some may say, fortunately), the EU doesn’t just do what the Commission wants. MEPs and national ministers have their say too, and the Package was watered down at every stage, until a very weak piece of legislation was spat out the other end. You could say that the institutions break the legislation down like grass in a cow’s stomach. Take that metaphor where you will.

Anyway, it seems that the Commission hasn’t realised that its proposals were digested in that way, as it has apparently just urged developing nations to cut their emissions, regardless of the EU’s rather limited actions, beholden as it is to commercial interests.

Certainly, the approach to tackling climate change must be global in scale, and stronger nations must help weaker nations, but though this may be initially suggested by the Commission’s media release, it does also go on to say that:

“Up to 2020 the bulk of actions in these countries will have low costs—or even benefits—and should be financed domestically.”

To me this does not seem to be a particularly constructive way of helping very poor states to make the necessary adaptations to their economies and infrastructure that will be needed. After the diluting of the Energy & Climate Package, it seems that the EU is in a bit of a muddle over what to do. A generally pro-action Commission (though clearly not a dream Green Commission) seems held back by the more reluctant views of member states and citizens. I think this is something I’m certainly going to come back to pretty soon.

EU

The climate package has been agreed upon by the European Council. Not as good as could have been hoped for, but I suppose it is better than nothing. My previous posts on it can be found here, and when I get a chance, I’ll go into a bit more detail.

UK

The people of Manchester have spoken. They don’t want a world-class transport system. They like sitting in queues of traffic. I’m now rather more glad that I’m moving away from this place next summer.

Greece

Kathimerini is reporting that Eco-greens have protested against the government, calling for the resignation of senior figures in the interior ministry.

Climate & Energy Package

Ok, so things didn’t look good for the climate and energy package before it went before the environment committee of the European Parliament a couple of weeks ago, but it got through just about all right. Well today the European Council managed to make time to discuss it, in between Gordon Brown saving capitalism, and it seems that, while the eastern Europeans didn’t make much of a dent on it in earlier stages, they are doing their best to water it right down now. Euractiv reports that there is co-operation, but it seems likely that the final agreement will be a shadow of what it should have been.

Canada

Brave faces and disappointment for the Greens were the result of the general election in Canada. Despite gaining 6% of the vote, the party didn’t manage to elect an MP. It looks like the same old problems as we have in the UK were partly to blame: non-proportional electoral system, other parties spouting “greenwash”, &c.

UN

The United Nations Environment Programme will be leading an initiative to develop a workable “green new deal. The proposals are separate from the New Economic Foundation’s report on the same topic which was produced by a committee including Caroline Lucas, and while seeming to be watered down slightly, should be welcomed.

As I mentioned in my last post, today is Thursday. No matter what you may think otherwise, I am not a day late with the briefing.

Europe

One of the main pieces of Europe wide environmental news this week was the Energy and Climate package, which is currently wandering through the EU’s decision making process. MEPs in the environment committee of the Parliament voted on a number of aspects, and the end result is fairly good. Barroso has also called for the package to not be forgotten amongst the discussion of economic woes at the European Council next week.

In another EP decision, the flag, anthem, Europe Day (9th of May if you were wondering) and motto of the EU have been formally recognised. This was one of the aspects of the original European Constitution that was removed to placate less willing Europeans, such as us islanders.

I also had to share this video from EUtube, titled “Make Love not CO2″:

UK

According to a local newspaper story headline: “North Somerset Greens tackle financial crisis“. We’re all ok then! Actually, a meeting of the branch discussed the turmoil, and how Greens can respond to it with things such as the Green New Deal. On the topic of the Green New Deal, our shiny new leader in England & Wales, Caroline Lucas MEP, has written a piece in The Guardian about it.