Just before MEPs headed down to Strasbourg, EU leaders met in Brussels for their
annual spring summit. Top of the agenda this time around was climate change and
energy policy. The two-day gathering was widely regarded as a great success
after the heads of government gave the green light to an action plan to reduce
carbon emissions and improve the use of renewable energy – two key elements in
the fight against global warming.
As well as agreeing a 20% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020, an ambitious
target was also set requiring the EU to produce 20% of its energy from renewable
sources such as wind and solar power by 2020. The renewables target surprised
many commentators, who prior to the summit, had predicted that forging such an
agreement would be a step too far for most national governments to take.
Speaking after the summit, Gary Titley said: “The agreement recognises that
everyone needs to be more serious about energy efficiency in the EU. We need to
work towards drastically reducing carbon emissions from coal as soon as
possible. And a binding target on the use of renewables is also crucial to
achieving cuts in carbon emissions. This deal shows that the EU is leading the
way in becoming the world’s first low-carbon economy.”
Further information on how the EU is tackling climate change can be found in
Brussels Briefing No 31.
United in Europe
It is 50 years this month since the Treaty of Rome was signed, which led to the
creation of what we know today as the European Union. And to mark this historic
milestone, a whole series of special events have been organised across Europe.
Here in Britain, a charity football match took place at Old Trafford to
celebrate not only 50 years of the EU but also the 50th anniversary of
Manchester United playing their first ever game in European competition. Gary
accepted an invitation from the President of the European Commission, Jose
Barroso, to accompany him to the event. They joined a 72,000 sell out crowd to
watch Manchester United beat an all star European eleven 4-3.
Speaking after the match, Gary said: “It is especially fitting that Old Trafford
was chosen to host this celebration of 50 years of peace and prosperity in
Europe. The stadium was virtually destroyed during the Second World War, when
Europe sorted out its differences with bombs and bullets, rather than round the
negotiating table. This event was an excellent opportunity to showcase to the
Commission President and other important international visitors all that is best
about Greater Manchester and the wider North West.”
EU action to make firms more responsible
Labour MEPs threw their weight behind a package of measures, put forward by one
of their colleagues, to force big business to tidy up its act. A report on
“Corporate Social Responsibility”, penned by Richard Howitt, suggested that big
companies should be made to reveal the full impact of their activities on local
communities and the environment by naming and shaming offenders.
Another proposal contained in the report was that company directors with more
than 1,000 staff should be made to take personal responsibility for minimising
any harmful effects their firms may cause. The report also called for companies
that benefit from public money to meet minimum labour and environmental
standards.
Speaking after the Parliament voted to adopt the report, Gary said: “While many
firms are now claiming they are socially responsible, it is not always the case
in practice. The EU should begin putting these claims to the test by looking at
whether they really do contribute to combating inequality and environmental
damage.”
EU-US ‘open skies’ deal approaching take-off
Another step was taken towards an EU-US open skies deal this month. Negotiators
from the US and the EU met for the twelfth time and hammered out an agreement
that will now be put before EU Transport Ministers. However, although the plan
is much improved, it still falls short of a fair deal for Britain. As it stands,
the agreement would allow American airlines to operate internal EU flights, but
the US domestic market would still remain closed to EU carriers. Speaking after
the Parliament passed a resolution on the agreement, Gary said: “Britain with
40% of the EU-US aviation market has a special interest in the success of the
deal. Although still very enthusiastic about liberalization, we need to push
hard to get an agreement that is fair for both sides.”
Campaign for more childcare in Europe
This month marked the launch of the Party of European Socialists (PES) campaign
for better childcare standards in Europe. As the British Labour Party is part of
the PES, along with 33 fellow European Socialist parties, Gary was invited along
to take part in the launch of the campaign in Strasbourg. Five years ago this
month, EU member countries agreed to create better childcare provision for 90%
of children aged between 3 and school age and for 33% of children under school
age. Five years on and only a handful of countries have lived up to these
commitments. After signing up to the campaign on behalf of Labour MEPs, Gary
said: “Access to affordable childcare is not just about the best interests of
young children. It is a key part of enabling people to get back into work. This
campaign is about helping parents with children lead a family life, alongside
their professional lives.
And finally,
Banning bent bananas and banishing the British loaf are just a few of the many
‘euromyths’ that have been peddled by Eurosceptics in recent years. This month
in Strasbourg was no exception with yet another mythical tale doing the rounds.
Not wanting to let facts get in the way of a good story, it was reported in some
newspapers that the EU was to spend millions on a lavish “EU Embassy” in central
London. In fact the European Commission and Parliament are to move their offices
to a new location after the costs of the building they presently occupy became
prohibitively expensive. In other words, the move is designed to save taxpayers’
money, not fritter it away.
