EU's Barroso urges states to push for "low carbon" economy

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Monday October 30, 2006

Brussels- The European Union must step up the fight against global warming and accelerate moves to become a "low carbon economy," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Monday. "We must aim to substantially increase, over time, the amount of zero or low carbon energy we use in Europe," Barroso told a conference in Lisbon. A copy of his speech was released in Brussels.

The commission chief said he would unveil proposals next year on plans to increase energy efficiency and step up the utilisation of renewable energies.

EU countries must also substantially increase the consumption of "clean hydrocarbons" resulting from technological advances in reducing carbon emissions from hydrocarbons for example through the capture and storage of carbon dioxide.

State-of-the-art clean coal technologies should be promoted, he said.

Barroso also urged EU governments to open up debate on the use of nuclear energy. "We cannot hide from the issue. A debate on nuclear energy in Europe should not be taboo," said Barroso.

EU governments are split over the pros and cons of nuclear energy.

France produces almost 80 per cent of its electricity from nuclear power plants whereas Germany, which relies on nuclear energy for 30 per cent of its needs, plans to shut all nuclear power stations by 2021.

However, fears of the EU's excessive dependence on imported oil and gas, have convinced many of the bloc's key policymakers that a rational discussion is needed on nuclear energy.

The commission chief said he wanted EU leaders next Spring to set an overall objective for low carbon energy use in Europe.

Governments could then hammer out their own blueprints on how to achieve the goals, he said.

"There is no one-size-fits-all approach the energy mix for each member state depends on their circumstances and choices. But the overall, shared goal must be clear," said Barroso.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency