Der Umweltausschuss des Parlaments wird heute den Verordnungsentwurf zu fluorinierten Gasen erörtern, die die Erderwärmung begünstigen. Der Entwurf wurde durch das Verbot des Gebrauchs der Gase in Autos bis 2011 verschärft.

On 9 April 2002, the Commission proposed a new multiannual energy action programme. The programme "Intelligent Energy for Europe" will run from 2003 to 2006 and have a budget of euro 215 million.

Lithuania claims it cannot afford the decommissioning of the Ignalina nuclear power plant by 2009 as demanded by the EU in the accession negotiations. The costs of the closure of the plant is estimated to 3 billion euros, which Lithuania is asking the EU to help funding.

In its annual report 2002, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts an increase of carbon dioxide emissions by 62 per cent from 1999 to 2020. The report also says world energy consumption is expected to rise by 60 per cent over the next two decades.

On 20 March the European Parliament welcomed the overall outcome of the Barcelona European Council. They reiterated that the 'policy mix' of mutually supportive economic reform, full employment, social cohesion and sustainable development should be maintained.

The Barcelona Summit ended with a partial agreement on the liberalisation of the energy market. A final compromise, reached on Saturday morning, opens up the gas and electricity market for business users by 2004. The discussion on the liberalisation of the energy market for household was postponed.

The Barcelona Summit reached an agreement on several, but not all issues, which triggered different reactions from different players.

EurActiv summary of the main outcomes of the Barcelona Summit.