The Melting Iceberg

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DEBATE AT THE EP

Eu ideas to help people cut energy use and save money

Isuka Palau

The European Parliament today adopted more than 200 measures to help the EU and its member states make an 80 per cent cut in CO2 by 2050. The measures, which include free energy audits for homeowners, are aimed at helping citizens to change behaviour and save money.
"Member states should provide free energy audits to enable citizens to cut their energy use and reduce emissions," said socialist spokeswoman Dorette Corbey.
"We need to have the people on board in all our efforts to fight climate change.
"Our strategy must have a human face, providing for economic growth and social protection whilst acting on climate change."
The chairman of the European Parliament climate change committee Guido Sacconi called for the work it began in 2007 at the demand of the Socialist Group to be continued in the new parliament, due to be elected in June this year.
"We were pioneers in the establishment of such a committee," said Mr Sacconi, "and in dealing with climate change issues in an across-the-board way rather through separate policy discussions."
Socialist spokeswoman on the committee Riitta Myller said: "The package of measures adopted today has great credibility. We need to ensure that enough finance is available and to that end funds raised through the emissions trading scheme should be used to bring about the changes needed in all sectors."
Socialist Group vice-president Linda McAvan stressed the links between fighting climate change, cutting carbon emissions and creating jobs. She said: "President Obama has already established this link in his economic recovery programme. It is now up to us to invest heavily in energy efficiency measures to create jobs and fight climate change."