The Committee believes that climate change is and will continue to be one of the most important challenges facing the EU and the world. Thjs report examines what the the EU is doing about climate change, what policies are in place and how they are working. Chapters cover the international context for EU policy, the EU emissions trading scheme, transport, other policy areas (including energy efficiency, renewable energy policy, nuclear energy, waste and agriculture), and the EU and the international community. The EU adopted a European Climate Change Programme, a comprehensive and relevant set of measures, but progress has been mixed. The report also finds that most member countries have not made significant progress towards their Kyoto targets for greenhouse gas reduction. It recommends that the EU emissions trading scheme be endorsed by the G8 as a model to be followed throughout the world. The lack of action to deal with the effects of aviation on climate change is seen as a major problem that needs to be addressed internationally.

This report considers a pair of draft Directives, known as the "nuclear package", which would harmonise the way EU Member States ensure the safety of nuclear installations and manage spent fuel and radioactive waste. The Committee do not think that these Directives should be adopted. Instead it thinks that the Council of Ministers should concentrate on achieving globally approved, transparent approaches to nuclear safety and require Member States to set policies for the long term management of high level radioactive waste. The Committee is concerned about the loss of confidence in national governments as a source of information on nuclear issues and wants the EU to take a lead in educating citizens.

This report contains evidence from the Nature Conservation and Fisheries Minister, Ben Bradshaw following a number of scrutiny overrides resulting from the late deposit of items before Council meetings. The Committee want the Government to address shortcomings in the EU's fisheries policy decision-making process during the time of its presidency of the European Union.

The Committee's report examines the UK Government's key agricultural and environmental priorities during its Presidency of the EU, based on the evidence given by the Secretary of State, Rt Hon. Margaret Beckett MP. There are five major priorities identified, with the theme of better regulation running through the agenda: action on climate change; progress on chemicals legislation; World Trade Organization negotiations; sugar regime reforms; and the introduction of the new sustainable development strategy.

Correspondence with Ministers : January 2006 to September 2006, 40th report of Session 2006-07

Inquiry conducted by Sub-committee D (Environment and Agriculture).