Environment Committee to vote on Adapting to Climate Change Draft Report

Parliament's Environment Committee adopted Rapporteur Vittorio Prodi's Draft Report on the White Paper: 'Adapting to Climate Change' on 16 March 2010 by 49 votes in favour, 3 against and 2 abstentions.  Over 170 amendments were tabled. Amendments that were adopted include putting greater emphasis on national adaptation plans based on a common European framework, and putting more of an emphasis on natural ecosystems, described by some MEPs as "the Earth’s most important carbon sinks".

Amendment 20 highlights the importance of mainstreaming adaptation into all EU policies, including common agricultural and fisheries policies and cohesion policy, the need for an environmental impact assessment, planning permission and building standards. Amendment 101 encourages the Commission to go ahead with its plan to incorporate climate impacts into construction standards (such as Eurocodes) in order to improve the resilience of buildings located in vulnerable areas.

Amendment 66 takes the view that soil has a vital role to play, but that this issue should be dealt at the level of the Member States, since it is a matter of national legislation. Amendment 68 urges those Member States without soil protection legislation to shoulder their responsibilities.

The Plenary Vote first reading is expected on 19 April 2010.