EnviroSpin Watch

European hypocrisy continues over Kyoto Protocol targets for 'greenhouse gas' emissions.....

Whilst lecturing, often in the most self-righteous of tones, the rest of the world about their failures to reduce so-called anthropogenic 'greenhouse gas' emissions, Europe has just had to admit in 'Europe's environment: the third assessment - Environmental assessment report No 10' that both the EU and EFTA are now way behind their own targets and burden-sharing as set under the Kyoto Protocol.

The hard facts are buried in the very long chapter 3. 'Climate change' (.pdf), which is well worth a bit of clinical deconstruction. Even all little green smileys that litter the merry text can't hide the blunt truth. Here are two of the most telling passages:-

"EU

According to the latest EU projections, total greenhouse gas emissions in the EU are expected to fall by 4.7 % from the 1990 level by 2010 assuming adoption and implementation of current, but no additional, policies and measures (EEA, 2002a). This leaves a shortfall of 3.3 % to the target of an 8 % reduction. Only the United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden are projected to achieve their Kyoto burdensharing targets without additional policies or measures or the use of the flexible mechanisms. The transport sector is of particular concern with emissions projected to increase by more than 25% - 30 % between 1990 and 2010 (EEA, 2002a). Substantial further action is therefore needed if the EU is to reach its Kyoto target.

EFTA countries

Greenhouse gas emissions in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland fell slightly during the first half of the 1990s. During the second half, emissions increased significantly in Iceland and Norway, but hardly changed in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. In total, between 1990 and 2000, greenhouse gas emissions increased in Iceland (by 6.7 %) and Norway (by 6.3 %) and decreased in Switzerland (by 0.9 %) and Liechtenstein (by 1.7 %). All these countries are some percentage points above their linear Kyoto target (Figure 3.6)."

Frankly, this is a disgrace. One doesn't mind being lectured by countries that 'walk-the-walk', even if it is all economic and scientific nonsense (something that is increasingly being recognized from Russia to Canada, e.g. 'Bye-Bye Kyoto' and 'Research debunks greenhouse theory: proof exists (that greenhouse does not), but believers would rather denounce than debate' [Edmonton Journal, November 12 - apologies for the music!), but Europe is just hot air and 'talk-the-talk'! Why should anyone listen to their bleating?

European arrogance and duplicity is sometimes breathtaking - and the 'global warming' rhetoric too often parallels that on European defence policy!

Philip, not a happy European lapin!