Activites

• 2000/07/07 Final act published in Official Journal
• 1999/11/16 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
  • T5-0100/1999 summary

    In adopting the report drafted by Mr. Giles CHICHESTER (EPP/ED, UK), the European Parliament welcomed the Commission's endeavours to strengthen environmental integration within Community energy policy, but called for new measures in order to enable Member States that so wish to introduce a coordinated energy CO2 tax, on condition that the total burden of taxation does not increase. It notes that the CO2 reduction policy must not be at the expense of policy on reducing harmful substances that contribute to the formation of smog and acid rain, namely particulates, sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The Parliament expressed its surprise that the Commission document makes no mention whatsoever of nuclear energy, and calls on the Commission to carry out a study on the respective contributions of the various types of energy to the emission of greenhouse gases in the EU. The Parliament also called on the Commission to: - ensure that all possible technologies are properly evaluated to look at their contribution toward achieving EU emission-reduction targets; - promote exchanges of views between Member States on integrating environment objectives within energy policy and examples of best practice; - consider the introduction of publicity schemes such as an award for best practice in the field of environmentally compatible power generation; - bring forward proposals for a strategy to increase public awareness; - promote the use of co-generation and other methods of utilising waste heat, for example by including this factor in the authorisation and operating conditions for new industrial installations, such as power stations, furnaces and waste incineration plants; - present regular reports to the European Parliament and Council on the progress of integrating environmental objectives within energy policy; - intensify its efforts to inform small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular about environmentally-friendly energy technologies.�

• 1999/09/01 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A5-0039/1999
• 1999/07/19 End of procedure in Parliament
• 1999/04/21 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A4-0204/1999
• 1999/01/28 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
• 1998/10/14 Non-legislative basic document published
  • COM(1998)0571 summary

    PURPOSE : This Communication puts forward various measures in order to strengthen the integration of environmental objectives within Community Energy Policy. The progress made to date will be examined at the Vienna Summit. CONTENT : the European Commission has committed itself to integrate the environmental dimension within energy policy and to promote the development of sustainable energy measures. It undertakes to strengthen its own contribution and invites the Council and the Parliament to endorse or adopt a number of key proposals in the energy field. As the Member States have the primary responsibility for energy policy, they need to integrate the environmental dimension into energy policy, including at local and regional level. Co-operation between Member States at Community level will enhance the effectiveness of policy actions. The Community has a complementary role in facilitating co-operation between Member States and in ensuring coherent and cost-effective action at Community level. When integrating the environmental dimension into energy policy, a balanced and flexible approach is necessary, making the link between environmental considerations and their economic and social effects. It is particularly important to take into account the other energy policy priority objectives of security of supply and competitiveness in promoting sustainability. In order to achieve these objectives, the Commission proposes action in the following fields : 1) Facilitating co-operation between Member States and relevant parties 2) Strengthening specific energy policy actions 3) Ensuring closer co-ordination with other Community policy measures in the field of energy 4) Developing the energy policy response to climate change 5) Developing the external dimension of energy policy 6) Monitoring and indicators.�

Documents

• Non-legislative basic document published: COM(1998)0571
• Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A4-0204/1999
• Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A5-0039/1999
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T5-0100/1999

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)