Brief Balkenende en Blair
Dear Matti
We welcome the opportunity Lahti offers to discuss the EU’s energy
policy. It is right that the emphasis at this meeting, is on our external energy
policy. But any debate about energy security must also be about climate
change and its links to our economy, since these elements are interdependent.
The science of climate change has never been clearer. Without
further action, scientists now estimate we may be heading for temperature
rises of at least 3-4C above pre-industrial levels. We have a window of only
10-15 years to take the steps we need to avoid crossing catastrophic tipping
points. These would have serious consequences for our economie growth
prospects, the safety of our people and the supply of resources, most notably
energy. So we must act quickly.
We are faced with a shared dilemma, both here in Europe and
elsewhere in the world. To ensure well being for a growing world
population with unfulfilled needs and rising expectations, we must grow our
economies. Should we fail, conflict and insecurity will be the result. To
grow our economies we will continue to need energy. Much of that energy
will be in the form of fossil fuels. The logic of this dilemma is that we must
treat energy security and climate security as two sides of the same coin.
We know that we can meet this challenge. Europe has the
opportunity to lead the world in making the technology transition to a low
carbon economy that will be necessary over the next few decades. The
technologies are already available or within reach, and there are real
potential economie benefits to European market leadership in this area.
In the UK, Sir Nicholas Stern has almost completed a groundbreaking
study which will, for the first time, teil us in much more detail about the
economie consequences of climate change. We expect this to say that we
simply cannot afford not to act now.
Other countries have already recognised that it makes sense to move
towards a low carbon economy on grounds of energy security and economie
efficiency. This is one reason why China has such ambitious targets for
energy efficiency and renewables. We have a chance to build much more
ambitious energy partnerships with China, India and others that will
leverage our market power with theirs and potentially set the technology
standards for a global low carbon economy. Developing alternative sources
of energy will also make any country less dependent on external supplies.
And this policy will also help us meet our climate change objectives.
We will need the Commission to lead the policy process. Courage
and imagination will be called for in bringing forward ambitious proposals.
The Strategie Energy Review will be a critical exercise. Climate security
should be one of its top objectives.
We want to see a programme of proposals, including:
• Strengthening the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (which is critical
for driving the carbon market) with progressively tightening caps
beyond 2012 and extending it into new areas and possibly by linking
to non-EU countries. We hope the Commission will deliver a
forward looking proposal as early as possible in 2007, guaranteeing
both an internal level playing field and providing more certainty to
investors;
• Taking forward the proposals in the Energy Efficiency Action Plan as
a priority, including ambitious measures such as on standby functions
on appliances and reducing emissions from cars and buildings;
• Reinforcing the EU’s vision for European fossil fuel plants to have
zero carbon emissions as early as possible;
• More investment in renewables technology, including second
generation biofuels and offshore wind;
• Stepping up cooperation with third countries on energy efficiency and
clean energy technologies. In particular engaging China to drive
forward the transition to a low carbon economy;
• Demonstrating clean coal technology in Europe at commercial-scale,
accelerating development and roll-out more widely; and
• Setting out a road- map to achieve EU consensus on the main
elements of an effective and durable post 2012 framework, equivalent
in scale to the nature of the challenge we face.
In conclusion, a historie political choice faces us. The need to respond
to climate change can be seen as a burden. Or it can be seen as a once in a
generation opportunity for Europe to mobilise the political will and
resources to transform and modernise our energy system. The EU must be a
frontrunner and continue to lead the way.
Climate and energy security must be discussed at the highest level.
At Lahti, we will call for a genuine, in- depth debate on climate change and
its links to energy security at a European Council next year, going beyond
the discussions we have had to date. We also seek agreement that climate
change and energy should play a key part of all our third country summits
and consultations. We hope we can count on your support.
We are copying this letter to other members of the European Council.
JAN PETER BALKENENDE
TONY BLAIR
Meest Gelezen
Wederom intimidatie van journalisten door universiteit, nu in Delft
‘Burgerschapsonderwijs moet ook verplicht worden in hbo en wo’
Extra geld voor bètafaculteiten is daar nooit terechtgekomen
Raad van State: laat taaltoets nog niet gelden voor hbo-opleidingen
Vrouwen houden universiteit draaiende, maar krijgen daarvoor geen waardering