Environment Council (Hansard, 20 October 1998)

§ Mr. Meacher

I represented the United Kingdom at the Environment Council which took place in Luxembourg on 6 October.

The Council agreed Conclusions which prepare the Community's negotiating position for the Fourth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework on Convention on Climate Change taking place in Buenos Aires on 2–13 November. Through Conclusions, the Council also endorsed the commitment by the European Car Makers Association (ACEA) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new cars. This agreement between the Commission and ACEA will cut carbon dioxide emissions from new cars by 25 per cent. by 2008 and play a considerable role in reducing greenhouse gas emission in the European Union. Ministers also discussed for the first time two proposals which complement that agreement. These will require the monitoring of carbon dioxide emissions from new cars and similarly provide a scheme for labelling the fuel economy performance.

First ministerial discussions were held on a number of other important dossiers. I gave general support to the directive concerning end of life vehicles whilst stressing that Member States should be given reasonable flexibility in implementation. A brief initial discussion was also held on the Commission proposal for a new Regulation introducing stricter controls on substances that deplete the ozone layer, which the UK supports in broad terms. The Council also reached agreement on a Resolution on Environment and Employment.

The Council noted the progress of discussions in a working group on directive proposals to reduce emissions from heavy goods vehicles and to revise the proposal controlling the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms. These will return to the Council in December. Informal discussions were held over lunch on the environmental implications of Community enlargement and on the integration of environmental objectives into other policy areas.