Fwd: [media-group] Decision to ban tar sands blown into the open as ministers asked to step in
Kirstie Wielandt
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Kirstie Wielandt
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From: Jack Hunter <jack....@greenpeace.org>
Date: 23 February 2012 12:13
Subject: [media-group] Decision to ban tar sands blown into the open as ministers asked to step in
To: media...@greenpeace.org
Experts from EU governments failed to agree whether Europe should effectively bar oil from tar sands today. Environment ministers will decide the matter on Monday 11 June 2012. We see this as a good thing since it is now out of the hands of unelected bureaucrats and into the hands of publicly accountable politicians.
Press statement below.
Cheers,
Jack
Greenpeace press release
Decision to ban tar sands blown into the open as ministers asked to step in
Brussels, 23 February 2012 – A meeting of EU country representatives to decide on an effective ban of climate-wrecking fuels, such as those produced from tar sands, has ended in stalemate, said Greenpeace. The decision to implement the EU’s fuel quality directive and its agreed objective of cutting carbon emissions from fuels by 6 percent by 2020 now lies with European environment ministers, who are expected to vote on the matter in June.
The issue has been the subject of a furious back-room lobby offensive by the government of Canada, backed by global oil companies, which are set to profit from environmentally destructive tar sands extraction. Canada sits on what is probably the world’s third biggest oil reserve, but most of it is locked up in tar sands.
Tar sands oil produces 23 percent more climate emissions than conventional fuels, Stanford University found in a report for the European Commission.
Greenpeace EU transport policy adviser Franziska Achterberg said: “Now that the tar sands issue is finally in the hands of publicly accountable ministers, we will see who’s pulling the strings in Europe. The evidence is clear: tar sands are the world’s dirtiest fuels. The decision is even clearer: ministers should stand up to the oil industry and ban them from Europe.”
Contacts:
Franziska
Achterberg – Greenpeace EU transport policy adviser: +32 (0)498 362403 (mobile), franziska....@greenpeace.org
Greenpeace EU press desk: +32 (0)2 274 1911, pressd...@greenpeace.org
Video: footage of tar sands extraction in Canada; free use (please credit Greenpeace):
ftp://video...@share.greenpeace.org/gpi_video_upload/Tar_Sands (Password: v1d301n)
Pictures: images of tar sands extraction in Canada and Greenpeace actions; free use (please credit Greenpeace and photographer):
http://photo.greenpeace.org/C.aspx?VP3=ViewBox_VPage&LBID=27MZKTFB5L6&CT=Lightbox
Press release also available on: www.greenpeace.eu
For breaking news and comment on EU affairs: www.twitter.com/GreenpeaceEU
Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace. Greenpeace does not accept donations from governments, the EU, businesses or political parties.
-- If you need to reach me, please ring my mobile Mark Breddy Communications Manager Greenpeace EU T: +32 (0)2 274 1903 M: +32 (0)496 156229 www.greenpeace.eu www.twitter.com/GreenpeaceEU Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace. Greenpeace does not accept donations from governments, the EU, businesses or political parties.
-- Jack Hunter -- Greenpeace European Unit Communications Officer Greenpeace European Unit (+32) (0)2 2741 915 (+32) (0)476 98 85 84 (mob.) www.greenpeace.eu http://twitter.com/GreenpeaceEU Greenpeace 24h media hotline +31 (0)20 718 2470 pres...@greenpeace.org
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