MEP WELCOMES COMMISSION PROPOSALS ON CLIMATE CHANGE

3.31.00pm GMT Wed 23rd Jan 2008

Elspeth Attwooll MEP has welcomed today's Commission proposals on how to transform the EU into the world's first low-carbon economy.

The Lib Dem Mep for Scotland said:

"Despite the fears expressed in some quarters, I believe these proposals open up real opportunities for entrepreneurship and job creation".

The main proposals include:

• an updated Emissions Trading System;

• specific, binding national targets;

• a new approach to promote renewable targets, again including binding national targets;

• new rules to stimulate carbon capture and storage;

• new state aid rules.

At the heart of the proposed legislation is the principle of "20 / 20 / 20 by 2020" (a 20% increase in energy efficiency, a 20% cut in greenhouse gases, a 20% share of renewables in total EU energy consumption, all by the year 2020).

In view of growing concern over biofuels (which will have to account for 10% of vehicle fuel), the President of the European Commission stressed that environmental sustainability would also be taken into account.