Energy and environment ministers from the 27- nation European Union held a joint session Friday in northern Sweden as part of efforts to promote a common stance on tackling climate change, according to dpa. The session included briefings from Lord Nicholas Stern a leading expert on the economic impact of climate change, who discussed measures like pricing carbon as well as the benefits of promoting more energy-efficient technology. Stern later told reporters that he had argued that "we understand the basics of what we have to do," in terms of targets needed to be set, areas where it is needed to act and technology needed. "What is left is political will," he added, saying that creating that will hinges on presenting the benefits of "low-carbon growth is more energy secure, cleaner, safer, quieter." He said there were signs of political will in Europe, and it was "emerging" in the United States at federal level and was apparent in the private sector and some US states, and was underway in China. The informal talks in Are, 630 kilometres north-west of Stockholm, were organized by Sweden that currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union. Grouping energy and environment ministers was to coordinate EU positions in pushing for an international agreement on reducing greenhouse gases at a summit in Copenhagen in December, replacing the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. Swedish Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren compared the meeting "to the final training camp before the finals." Carlgren chaired the session with his cabinet colleague, Energy and Enterprise Minister Maud Olofsson. Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas who also attended the meeting said an eco-efficient economy would stimulate growth, and while noting the difficulties to introduce a pan-European carbon-tax said there was no problem for member states to do so as has been the case. The ministers, citing among others Stern, also warned against "green protectionism." The environment ministers conclude their talks separately until Saturday.
