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Europe
France STILL Thinks They’re "Special"
2004-05-20
Severely EFL
Press Briefing by Margot Wallström, European Commissioner for the Environment, Brussels, 18 May 2004
*snip*
The EU is determined to take the lead and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. We are all in this together - Member States must support each other in their efforts to reduce emissions and each of them knows that for the single EU wide trading system to work they must all follow the same rules and criteria.
Blah, blah, blah...
Last year the Member States took the stupid unanimous decision to give up their sovereignty a central role to Emissions Trading as the key instrument for the EU to implement its Kyoto Protocol obligations. They made this choice because emissions trading is the most cost effective shell game way of meeting our international target of an 8% reduction in EU emissions. They also agreed that the Commission would act as a dictator "referee" to ensure that there is fair play between the Member States.
*snip*
As you probably know, EU-15 Member States were required to submit their plans by 31 March and EU-10 by 1 May. To date we have received 12 plans.
What, you mean some countries weren’t obedient to their masters and didn’t turn them in? For shame!
*snip*
The total quantity of allowances is the key decision. My first impression is that many of the notified plans go for a rather high quantity of allowances.
And you were surprised about this why, exactly?
This is entirely predictable disappointing and makes the Commission’s scrutiny of plans all the more important. All markets require some scarcity to function.
[Not scarcity imposed by the government, twit.]
The perceived lack of scarcity is being clearly reflected in the market price of allowances that are already being traded. The Commission has noted that the price of allowances has fallen from €13 in January to around €7 now. Too many allowances, and a resulting low price of allowances, will create little incentive to be obedient socialists change behaviour. In order to meet our Kyoto obligations we need to see investments in emission reductions so we need to jack up prices in our little shell game a meaningful price signal for CO2 emissions.
*snip*
Therefore I have decided to begin to think about holding a committee meeting to plan a meeting, etc. preparations for infringement proceedings against those EU-15 Member States which have not yet submitted their plans.
That would be Belgium, Greece, France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Our "friends" the Frogs didn’t turn in their homework on time? I’m shocked! (NOT) Plus c’est change, plus c’est meme chÃŽse
Posted by:Barbara Skolaut

#10  The EU is determined to take the lead and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Fine. Do what you want and leave us alone.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2004-05-20 10:51:41 PM  

#9  The EU is determined to take the lead and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

You might start by shutting the fuck up.
Posted by: tu3031   2004-05-20 9:27:38 PM  

#8  Th politically correct term is "bio-efluent emmisions". They are the major source of volatile organic chemicals in the workplace. If there is not enough ventilition and they build up and there is an ignition source----BOOM. We should be so lucky that this would happen over there. Boomed by their own BEE's.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2004-05-20 5:26:47 PM  

#7  Oh, France is "special," all right . . .

Let's hope al-Q doesn't try lighting a match in Paris; half the continent would go up . . .
Posted by: The Doctor   2004-05-20 3:48:07 PM  

#6  BigEd - Yes, I know. That's why New Zealand demanded corks for cows and sheep (or something like that, anyway). :-p
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2004-05-20 3:47:50 PM  

#5  The EU is determined to take the lead and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Barbara - Hot air from their politicians? Too many farts?

Remember that flatulance is essentially odorized methane, which is a greenhouse gas.
Posted by: BigEd   2004-05-20 3:42:39 PM  

#4  The EU is determined to take the lead and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Barbara - Hot air from their politicians? Too many farts?

Remember that flatulance is essentially odorized methane, which is a greenhouse gas.
Posted by: BigEd   2004-05-20 3:42:10 PM  

#3  Jack is Back!: Hot air from their politicians? Too many farts? (But I repeat myself.)
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2004-05-20 3:32:33 PM  

#2  Veeeery interesting! Since France and Belgium have highest percentage of power generation from nuclear fuel and very highly efficient electrified railways I wonder what the problem is here in getting a start?
Posted by: Jack is Back!   2004-05-20 2:55:55 PM  

#1  The EU is determined to take the lead and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

You can start with fewer self-congratulatory press briefings, Ms. Wallbanger. Think of all the oxygen you're wasting!
Posted by: Raj   2004-05-20 2:13:39 PM  

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