Eurobrief April 2010

The Greens/EFA group in parliament has withdrawn its objection to the Draft Commission Decision laying down criteria on financing carbon capture and storage (CCS) and renewable demonstration projects following assurances from the Commission that renewable energy projects will get an equal share of available funding.

The Council has adopted its Common Position on the proposal for a Directive on energy labelling. This Directive would apply to energy-related products which have a significant direct or indirect impact on the consumption of energy and, where relevant, on other essential resources during use.

Carbon pricing and taxes on financial transactions can help raise government revenues and improve market efficiency, claims a European Commission working paper on innovative financing.

Measurable sub-targets must be set to ensure a viable future biodiversity strategy, the Commission said at a recent workshop organised by the Green Group in the European Parliament.

Many Europeans do not understand what is meant by biodiversity and do not feel well informed about biodiversity loss, according to a Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission.

The Commission has launched a tender for a study on the amended working plan under the Eco-design Directive.

Parliament’s Rapporteur, Holger Krahmer (EPP, Germany), on the on the proposal for a Directive on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) has published 353 Amendments to the draft recommendation for a second reading.

The Commission has launched a call for tender for a study on the provisions on penalties related to legislation on industrial installations.