Dear bloggers,
We continue to inform you on the "Melting iceberg" blog on S&D activities on climate change.
Here some comments on the hearing of Connie Hedegard,Commissioner-designate for Climate Action.
Hedegaard passed her exam but lacked visions, commented MEPs.
Marita ULvskog, Vice-president of the S&D, who chaired the Group's delegation in Copenhagen:
"I'm very sorry that she tells the Story of Copenhagen as a story of succes.It simply was not.She would have been much better off,had she only been honest.It would have created much more confidence in her,if she had pointed out what the Swedish EU Presidency and the Danish COP-presidency could have done better in Copenhagen.
Despite the criticism,S&D does expect a fruitful future cooperation with Connie Hedegaard.
I believe we will establish a good cooperation with her. Our Group will offer Hedegard the support she will not find in her narrow portfolio and among her own very conservative colleagues".
MEP Dan Jorgensen agrred this opinien: "We expect that Hedegard will present more ambitious concrete visions for EU's climate change policies.If she does so,she will gain the support from S&D.And she will need the support from our Group, because she will meet fierce opposition in her own political group.The questions in the EP hearing clearly proved that point.
Linda Mc Avan,coordinator of the Environmental committee added:
"I welcom Hedegaard's commitment to include maritime emissions in the Emmission Trading Scheme by 2011,if the IMO does not act first.I also welcome her commitment to prioritise transport and climate change,which represents 25% of all CO2 emissions".
Finally, German S&D MEP Jo Leinen,who chaired the EP delegation in Copenhagen, welcomed the vision of Climate Action Commissioner designate Connie Hedegaard,that the EU should be the moste climate-friendly region in the world.
"Climate Protection Policy can be a win-win topic on reducing the impact on ecosystems,reducing the dependence on fossil fuel imports and therefore improving energy security and by developind new resources,new energies and new jobs.
"C.Hedegaard has the competence and the commitment to be Climate Action Commmissioner.But her job will be difficult in conflict with other resorts.She will need the strong support of Commission President Barroso".
