Climate Change

As one of the great environmental challenges of our century, this has been one of the target discussions at the European Spring Council.

The EU’s heads of state and government approved under the German Presidency an integrated approach to Climate and Energy policy in order to achieve an objective of GHG emissions reduction and energy security. This was an historical decision, which has already been compared to achievements such as the internal market and Maastricht treaties decisions.

Portugal will follow on this package in terms of starting its development and implementation in such areas as renewable energies, biofuels and aviation in the EU emissions trading scheme.

On the international dimension on climate policy, we have an extremely busy schedule for this dossier during our PRES, especially because of the Bali UN Conference in December. We are fully aware of the political importance for the EU to continue leading the international discussions of a balanced and fair post-2012 regime and, as the Spring European council called for, we will aim at starting negotiations on the future in Bali.