Europe Envy

WWF

WWF and many other organizations strongly supported the Parliamentarians who put this forward and helped fend off the strong opposing forces, especially the coal lobby.  Check out the video of the street theatre the day of the vote http://www.youtube.com/v/GaOewWvAC-g

Without getting too detailed, the package includes a strong reduction target, what the Europeans call “effort sharing” among the EU member countries, maintenance of the emission trading system, all sorts of penalties for non-compliance, and specific rules about emissions from coal plants. 

Getting the package through full Council will be the next challenge, and WWF will be out on the streets and in the backroom to ensure these hard-won victories are not watered down. 

Julia Langer