Howlin hopeful on greenhouse gas goal

THE Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, has expressed confidence that the EU will be at the forefront in pressing for cuts in the emission of greenhouse gases that are believed to cause global warming.

The Minister said yesterday he was disappointed the meeting of environment ministers in Luxembourg failed to agree on proposing cuts of 5 per cent in emissions at international climate change talks in Geneva. However, he was confident agreement could be reached in time for the setting of new world targets in Japan next November.

Mr Howlin, who is due to present the common EU position to the Geneva conference, said that the reference in yesterday's conclusions to a 1 to 2 per cent cut in emissions each year, although not yet a full decision, was to be welcomed.

Ireland's position is based on a specially negotiated package which allows it, as an economy still catching up with its EU partners, to increase carbon dioxide emissions in the 1990-2000 period by some 20 per cent of the 1990 figure. In the period 1990-1994, however, the level of emissions went up by only 6.8 per cent, giving rise to hopes that the 20 per cent figure will not be reached.

Other countries, such as Britain, find it easier to make the required cuts in emissions because they have been switching electricity production to abundant indigenous gas.

Ireland, however, supports a cut in the overall level of European emissions and is strongly supportive of attempts to persuade other more reluctant developed countries such as the US, Japan and Australia to play their part. The Minister said he also supported making agreed targets binding.

The Netherlands wants an EU target of a 50 per cent cut by 2030, while Britain is arguing for a cut of between 5 and 10 per cent by 2010.

International scientists warn that the temperature of the globe could rise by an average of 2 degrees Celsius during the next century unless drastic action is taken. Such seemingly small increases could have dramatic consequences for sea levels and climate.