91997E2093

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2093/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (19 June 1997)

Subject: UNGASS Conference 23-27 June 1997

What measures does the EU intend to adopt to meeting its goal of reducing CO2 in transport and agriculture?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (4 September 1997)

As far transport is concerned, the major contribution to the CO2 emission reduction is expected to come from the full implementation of the Community strategy to reduce CO2 from passenger cars ((1 [COM(95) 689 final; Council Conclusions of 25 June 1996. )). A further potential lies in a reduction of traffic in urban areas and improvement of road freight transport (better logistics). Furthermore, there are long term actions which include efforts to promote modal switch, especially from road to rail, the promotion of short sea shipping, traffic management programmes, fair and efficient pricing, along with a series of other measures.

The major problem as regards emissions in the agricultural sector is methane emissions, which can be expressed in CO2 equivalent. In general terms, common agricultural policy (CAP) reform in 1992 halted increases in some animal sectors thus tending towards a stabilisation of methane emissions from livestock. In the beef sector production has tended to stabilise since 1992 due to decreased cattle numbers. In the dairy sector production has been stable since the quota system came into force in 1984 with very significant decreases in dairy cow numbers. In the sheep sector the long-term upward trend was halted in 1992 with the introduction of a premium quota regime. Since then production has stabilised and sheep numbers have declined significantly. In the poultry and pig sectors there have been constant rises in numbers and production, due to increasing demand and in part to their benefiting from more competitive cereal prices since the 1992 CAP reform. Specific measures which focus solely on reducing CO2 emissions are not foreseen in the CAP. However, limitations on production and falling livestock numbers in the cattle and sheep sector will lead to a reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions (including methane) in the agricultural sector from these sources.