The Czech Republic intends to do everything in its power to spearhead an agreement on the package should France fail to achieve a consensus before the end of its presidency, according to James Hunt, a climate change representative at the Czech Environment Ministry.
Concerns about Czech ability to deliver
Fear had been widespread that the Czech Presidency would struggle to move the package forward, due to internal political divisions and the occasionally eurosceptic positions of Czech President Vaklav Klaus.
Furthermore, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe have, since the start of negotiations, expressed concerns that climate change targets linked to European legislation would adversely affect the ability of their economies to compete.
Beyond these political questions, time will be tight for the Czechs. The European elections scheduled for June 2009 may make it difficult to reach a compromise should the French fail to do so.
But the Czech Republic recognises the vital role that the energy and climate package will play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, said Hunt, reminding the conference that his country had established a common programme with France and Sweden (which takes over the rotating presidency after the Czechs) in which all three countries committed to finding a compromise on the issue.
'Pragmatic' approach to climate change
However, the Czech climate change representative was quick to point out that while his country supported the EU's goal of fighting climate change, the Czech Republic remained a "pragmatic nation". The necessary changes - particularly economic ones - required to combat climate change "would not be achieved overnight," Hunt stressed. In fact, the current European Commission proposal would not be accepted in its current form (for more, see EurActiv France's dossier).
The current financial and economic crisis makes these climate change goals more difficult to achieve on all levels, said Hunt.
Though the Czech Republic's energy needs are not solely reliant on coal, the country remains conscious of the adaptation problems experienced by countries largely dependent on this material. A good example is Poland, where 90% of electricity is carbon-based. The climate change representative therefore insisted that achieving consensus must be the first priority.
Insisting on the fact that we live in an "unequal world," Hunt evoked the terms of the United Nations Framework Convention, saying that though European countries have "common responsibilities," these were affected by differences in the individual "capabilities" of each member state.
A 'cost-effective' climate package
He also insisted that countries must be able to calculate the costs and the economic impact of the necessary changes. Since negotiations began, member states have been waiting for the Commission to produce precise cost estimates, notably in those sectors which could potentially be exempted from the Emission Trading System (ETS).
The Czech Presidency is likely to focus on three issues during negotiations, said Hunt: implementing real reductions in CO2 emissions, making economically effective choices (achieving objectives at a lower cost) and assuring fair legislation that will equitably divide the burden of the climate package.
The European Parliament is currently undertaking a very ambitious approach to the energy and climate package and is expected to make a clear statement during the December 4 plenary session. The European Council, meanwhile, will seek a compromise at its summit on December 11-12.
Continued disagreement between the two institutions is likely to make first-reading agreement before the end of France's EU Presidency unlikely.
