Germany: Europe way off the Kyoto mark

If more coal-fired power stations are built European states will not reach the objectives set at Kyoto to safeguard the climate. This is what emerges from a study carried out by Greanpeace and announced in Hamburg yesterday, Tuesday 30th. Of the 68 coal-fired power stations that EU member states plan to build 33 will be in Germany. If these development plans are carried out Germany?s increased emissions will put a real halt on Europe?s ability to fulfil the commitments made at Kyoto.

European member states representatives met in Luxemburg yesterday to define Europe?s position as regards climate change in view of the Climate Conference that will be held in Bali this December. ?The Council must take a clear position against the development plans being carried out by member states,? warned Gabriela Von Goderne, Greenpeace Germany climatology expert. ? No other European country aims to rely so heavily upon coal as Germany is?, she added.

According to Greenpeace the 33 coal-fired power stations that are planned, 6 of which are already under construction, would release about 140 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. Today, Germany?s emits 880 million tonnes of CO2 per year.

Lagging behind Germany in these development plans are Italy and Great Britain, both aim to build eight coal-fired stations, which will mean that neither of them will be able to meet the commitments they made at Kyoto. On the other side of the fence are Slovakia and France, who are planning the construction of only one power station each, and who would therefore respect their commitments.

The Chancellor Angela Merkel had fixed the reduction of Germany?s greenhouse gas emissions to 40% by 2020: this would mean a reduction of 260 million tonnes of CO2. ?Instead of taking this opportunity to invest in renewable energy, new coal-fired power stations are being given the go ahead. But the climate cannot take anymore compromises?, complained Von Goderne. Greenpeace has asked Merkel to impose restrictions on the construction of new coal-fired plants.

The objective that the EU has set itself is to reduce greenhouse gases by 30% by 2020. This is the commitment that member states wish to confirm at the Climate Conference in Bali. ?When the European ministers go to Bali with their proposals, they should not limit their actions to supporting new post protocol negotiations, but should act upon the objectives they have already set themselves to counter climate change?, concluded Goerne.

More info:
www.greenpeace.de