EUROPE DIRECT Newsletter volume

NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 Portrait Kristien Vandamme ED Bruges, Belgium Highlights Vote for your favourite natural wonder An online resource for performing abroad Celebrate the potato! Partner Networks The Green Spider Network Energy Policy: investing for a better tomorrow Viewed through the long lens of history, energy is a relatively new human preoccupation. Imagine for a moment: foodstuffs processed by wind and watermills, transport furnished by animals and sailboats, and heat provided by burning wood and other vegetation – all sustainable models. However, this idyllic world was uprooted by the introduction of the steam engine and the concomitant dependence on coal furnaces, the two enduring symbols of the industrial revolution that fundamentally altered European society in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. As technology progressed further, oil and gas became the energy sources of choice. The ambition is to ‘transform Europe into a low-carbon, high energy efficiency economy’. Achieving this goal will depend heavily on another target set by the European Council: raising the share of renewable energy sources to 20% of overall EU energy consumption. Today, that figure stands at only 8.5%. To bridge this gap, the potential of wind power, solar power, biomass and more experimental technologies, such as tidal power, must be fully harnessed in the years ahead. As part of the climate and energy package, the Commission has therefore laid down binding targets for each Member State. These are based on two principles – namely, the effort But now we have come to understand the environmental con- must be shared fairly across the bloc, but the targets must sequences of our reliance on fossil fuels. In short, energy and also reflect different national circumstances. For this reason, climate change are inextricably linked. Following on from the each country can determine for itself the role renewable enerEuropean Council’s commitment gy will play in the electricity, heatin March 2007 to reduce green- “The Commission is proposing nothing ing and cooling and transport sechouse gas emissions by at least less than a new industrial revolution tors. Changes in the electricity or 20% by 2020, in January 2008 the power generation sector are alin energy policy.” Commission unveiled a climate ready well underway, as seen, for and energy package with the slogan ‘Climate Action – Energy example, by the recently inaugurated solar power plant near for a Changing World’. According to Andris Piebalgs, Commis- Seville, Spain or the wind farms scattered along the coast of sioner for Energy, “The Commission is proposing nothing less Denmark. than a new industrial revolution in energy policy”. Continued on p. 11 ... Editorial A French Presidency with a focus on the citizen France is preparing to exercise the Presidency of the European Union for six months, from 1 July 2008. This constitutes a highly symbolic event, one which comes three years after the French ‘non’ to the European Constitution and only a few short days after the victory of the ‘no’ campaign in the Irish referendum. This recent situation, however, cannot pose an impediment to overcoming the challenges for the future of the Union. The President of the Republic vigorously announced, “the return of France in Europe”, but also the necessity of “more Europe in France”, in order that the country be once again a driving force, as it was during the time of the Founding Fathers. This will is confirmed through different projects, which will be an occasion for France to place at the forefront the priorities that it holds close to its heart and to respond to the expectations and the concerns of citizens, all the while acting in the general interest of Europe. The programme of the Presidency will be articulated around four large priorities: energy and climate change, European defence, immigration and the future of the Common Agricultural Policy. In an effort to put citizens at the heart of the Presidency, the French Government will organise fun, popular events across the country, in addition to online forums, European dances on Bastille Day and various activities in schools and universities. To this end, the French network of EUROPE DIRECT Relays and many communities, civil society actors and associations will be involved in events throughout the Presidency. Concerning energy and the protection of the environment, France aims to make the European Union an example in this domain. Different themes will be discussed, such as the reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the promotion of renewable energy sources. In this regard, the climate and energy package will focus particularly on the security of supply and energy independence. Defence, considered as a main theme of the Presidency, should show advances in terms of cooperation and mutual assistance, and the capacities and will of Member States to progress on this sensitive topic. Immigration, a delicate subject, will be part of the priority themes. The objective is for the European Council to adopt the ‘European Pact on Immigration and Asylum’, which aims at harmonising the fight against illegal immigration and the treatment of asylum applications. Special attention will be paid to the Common Agricultural Policy, a focus of current preoccupations (food crisis, world prices). In particular, the CAP reform – foreseen for 2013 – will be the subject of a profound debate. Projecting Europe in the world will also be an ambition of France's during the Presidency. In this sense, the Union for the Mediterranean, which will be officially launched on 13 July, constitutes a major project, aiming to give a new impulse to relations between the EU and the other nations of the Mediterranean. Finally, a European intercultural season, in this Year of Intercultural Dialogue, will make its debut under the French Presidency. All the capitals and a number of large cities of the Union will be invited to exhibit European artists, of all artistic disciplines, in order to ‘highlight the creative vitality of European cultures’. On 1 July, the arrival in Paris of the College of European Commissioners will mark the launch of the French Presidency, which will endeavour to give a new impulse to the confidence of citizens in Europe. http://www.ue2008.fr/ http://www.touteleurope.fr/ Representation in France NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 2 Contents The EUROPE DIRECT Newsletter is available on the Network’s Intranet at Energy Policy: investing for a better tomorrow Editorial: A French Presidency with a focus on the citizen EUROPE DIRECT News We are all responsible for our environment! Strictly Cultural Dancing The Fourth European Youth Meeting in Rimini celebrates Europe Europe Day is a kaleidoscope of cultures 1 2 4 https://ednetwork.ec.europa.eu/ europedirect/ and on the EUROPE DIRECT public website at http://ec.europa.eu/europedirect/ Contributions If you would like to report on an event or announce an upcoming activity, please send your contribution to ED_Newsletter@coleurop.be with your country’s Relay correspondent in copy. Specific Training Seminar in Bruges on Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Announcement Corner Portrait: Kristien Vandamme Partner Networks: The Green Spider Network News from the EU What’s the big deal about biofuels? Vote for your favourite natural wonder Faith in Europe today European Capitals of Culture - European Years Improving communication through audiovisual media Clean energy for developing countries Celebrate the potato! An online resource for performing abroad 7 8 10 12 Quote Young Europeans European Youth Speak – engaging young people in debate KidsCall: children against climate change Ideas to shape the future of Europe 16 17 Key Figure ABC CALENDAR 18 19 20 Disclaimer The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the European Commission. Publisher This newsletter is published by the EUROPE DIRECT Information Networks Helpdesk in the framework of the service contract: PO/2005 – 06/A2. We welcome your questions and suggestions on our Questions & Answers service at: https://ednetwork.ec.europa.eu/europedirect NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 3 EUROPE DIRECT News Specific Training Seminar in Bruges on Climate Change and Sustainable Energy the seminar by warning the audience about the consequences of ‘business as usual’, arguing that the EU must reduce its annual emissions by about half from 2013 onwards. Stina Soewarta from the Cabinet of Commissioner Piebalgs gave a broad overview of EU Energy Policy, which is a keystone of the response to climate change. Christian Egenhofer of the Centre for European Policy Studies explained the concept behind emissions trading, while Jürgen Salay and Nicholas Hanley of DG Environment focused on the recent ‘Climate Action and Renewable Energy’ package of the Commission and on how to convey it to EU citizens. In four workshops, the Network members further discussed best practice examples and possibilities for cooperation with other stakeholders in communicating climate change and energy policy to the media, schools, business and the private sector in their countries. Malene Bruun (EEA) explained the activities evolving around a European Climate Mission, for which a truck will visit European cities. Richard Adams (EESC) rounded off the seminar by giving an outsider's view of the climate and energy package and by encouraging Network members to cooperate with EESC members on a local level. The seminar was further complemented by a visit to the world heritage city of Bruges and by very sunny weather. We look forward to the next STS on migration and social inclusion, which will take place in Brussels on 20-21 November. Some 130 Network members participated in the third STS of this year, held on the premises of the College of Europe in Bruges. High-level speakers from the European Commission, the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), as well as from Brussels-based think tanks and the NGO sector, provided participants with useful background knowledge on climate and energy challenges and EU policies. Dr Stephan Singer of the World Wildlife Fund kicked off We are all responsible for our environment! For the third edition of its ‘10/10 for Europe’ competition, ED Namur sought to raise the awareness of 10-12 year-old children about one issue facing Europe: energy conservation. We invited the children to create comic strips illustrating the idea of energy conservation at the European level and the EU’s actions on this subject. Eleven classes from the Province of Namur responded to the call for ideas and submitted comic strips, reflecting their creative vision of the actions led by the EU in this regard. To promote the students’ awareness of the role of the EU in this environmental challenge and to help them in their reflection on this important issue, the Economic Bureau of the Province of Namur and ED Namur offered each participating class a presentation, designed by the non-profit organisation Empreintes, in the form of a board game. These presentations allowed the children NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 4 EUROPE DIRECT News to learn about the influence of European policies on everyday life and to identify specifically how the EU can help each Member State improve its own efforts on energy conservation. The competition was tight; all the panels were very creative and interesting. In the end, however, it was the school from Ligny which won with its comic depicting a superhero named ‘Monsieur Europe’, who offers advice for saving the earth and being eco-responsible citizens. The prize offered by the European Commission allowed the students from the winning class to discover Mini-Europe, an amusement park near Brussels, accompanied by a staff member from ED Namur. Given the growing success of the competition among schools in the Province, next October ED Namur will launch the fourth edition of its ‘10/10 for Europe’ competition. Magalie Meyer ED Namur Strictly Cultural Dancing » to encourage learning and cultural celebration through three Asian textile workshops. We chose dance as a theme because, like football, it’s a brilliant way to share cultural heritage – you don’t need words! Many different cultures came together on the day, and the atmosphere was lively, informal and fun. The dance celebration event itself featured performances of Asian, Irish, Polish, Jewish and many other types of dance. The audience heard about the history and culture of the dances, watched the dance performances, participated in the dance sessions and had the option to book a place in one of three textile workshops held in our Tiled Hall. The participants at these workshops produced a beautiful, colourful frieze to celebrate dance and culture and which is now on show in the Central Library. ED Leeds recently held a big event to celebrate the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008. The event was publicised as ‘Strictly Cultural Dancing’ (we hoped this was a catchy title!). Leeds Library and ED Leeds staff worked with the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, NIACE, to organise the event, so that it took place during Adult Learners’ Week (ALW), from 17-23 May 2008. The event was targeted at an audience of 100-200 people, and was heavily promoted through community and learning networks, through Leeds City Council, in libraries, on the radio, with a press release, on the internet, etc. The event aimed: Our feedback forms showed how much people enjoyed the celebration, and it was fun to see the audience joining in with the dancers. As well as our staff doing an interview for Radio Leeds about the event, a professional film-maker was commissioned by NIACE to make a film of it, so we are hoping to be able to disseminate more information about the event later on. The Adult Learners’ Week (ALW) co-ordinator also invited the ED team to promote the service at the ALW Awards for Yorkshire & Humber – a glamorous regional event for learners who have won awards – where there was a lot of interest in our services. It seems the event was also successful in raising awareness of ED Leeds. Our sample survey revealed that only 29% of respondents were aware of EUROPE DIRECT before the event, and 61% heard about the service for the first time as a result of attending ‘Strictly Cultural Dancing’. A full 75% of respondents indicated that they would find out more about EUROPE DIRECT as a result of attending the event, and 94% rated the event as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. Lynette Falconer ED Leeds ED SuCCESS SToriES » » » to celebrate cultural diversity through making people aware of the dance of other cultures; to learn something of the history of different dance cultures; to promote social integration through audience participation in the dancing; NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 5 EUROPE DIRECT News The Fourth European Youth Meeting in Rimini celebrates Europe For the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the flags of all 27 EU Member States, as well as those of Norway and Turkey, were flown in the Rimini wet dock to celebrate Europe Day and the Fourth European Youth Meeting. The Meeting was organised by the Legislative Assembly of Emilia-Romagna and the EUROPE DIRECT (ED) Relays of the region, in collaboration with many other local and European actors. For the first time, political personalities, civil servants and students from the ten regions that together formed the ‘Network on youth policies’ in March 2006 met to learn each other’s faces. Some 330 boys and girls converged on Rimini, near the Italian seaside, to discuss three facets of intercultural dialogue: interreligious dialogue as an instrument for the promotion of peace, inter-ethnic dialogue and the rights of minorities, and European citizenship and multiculturalism. Students had the opportunity to think of their future in a ‘Europe of Cultures’ and also to pose questions and make proposals to all the institutions. Inter-religious dialogue, according to the students, requires strong EU action in the field of education, the organisation of events and the construction of a symbolic monument. A future of peace without stereotypes and prejudices can be built only once it is accepted that there are many religions in Europe and that they all have the same rights of citizenship. Respect for minority rights must become a priority of our European democracy. Finally, the students argued that European citizenship will not be complete until Europeans conceive of themselves not only as citizens of their own countries, but also of Europe. On the last day, there was a new opportunity for students: the Fair of Youth Mobility, where it was possible to learn about European mobility programmes, the recognition of credits and diplomas and work placements abroad. During the final ceremony, many important personalities gathered on the stage – together with the students’ spokesperson – including the councillor responsible for energy policies and the environment, Andrea Zanzini; the President of the Legislative Assembly of Emilia-Romagna, Monica Donini; Members of the European Parliament, Vittorio Prodi and Monica Frassoni; and finally, Carlo Corazza from the Commission Representation in Italy. Teachers presented the results of two days of workshops: research into the challenges of intercultural education, and the responsibilities that the teachers have in transferring best practice of inter-ethnic and inter-religious dialogue to politicians. Finally, the winners of two competitions were awarded a prize. The Lyceum of Comunitat Valenciana from Spain won for ‘A logo for ten European Regions’, and the Bodoni technical school of Parma, Italy won for ‘Vote the best videoclip’ with a video that uses the international language of music and dance to emphasise the importance of meetings between cultures. You can download all the documents from the website of ED Relays of Emilia-Romagna: http://assemblealegislativa.regione.emilia-romagna.it/wcm/antennaed/ ahp/english/eu_day/eu_day_2008.htm Figures of the 4th European Youth Meeting: » 330 students, 160 from Emilia-Romagna and 170 from European countries » 70 teachers » 30 schools of Emilia-Romagna » 30 schools of European countries » 29 countries in Rimini » 10 regions of the ‘Network on youth policies’ » 29 stands in the Fair of Youth Mobility Stefania Fenati ED Bologna Europe Day is a kaleidoscope of cultures Europe Day was celebrated in multicultural style by Welsh schoolchildren on 9 May 2008. More than 200 children from 22 schools across West Wales explored international cultures at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, Middleton. The event was jointly organised by Carmarthenshire Council’s West Wales European Centre and Ceredigion Council’s Department of Education. Children were split into groups to engage in activities such as story-telling from the world, African drumming, Chinese opera mask-making and a cookery demonstration. They also took part in a ‘stamp your passport’ quiz for the prize draw at the end of the day. NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 6 EUROPE DIRECT News Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, Meryl Gravell, praised officers for the six months of preparation for the event and said that the colourful costumes of the children were a credit to the schools and parents. Head of the European Commission Representation in Wales, Andy Klom, praised Carmarthenshire for “doing more than most” to celebrate 9 May as Europe Day. He continued, “On much of the continent, it is a bank holiday with street parties and much excitement, and it is so important our young people understand the significance of Europe Day”. Eluned Morgan MEP awarded the ‘stamp your passport’ prize to St Mary’s School, Carmarthen, and Councillor Dewi Enoch, Chairman of Carmarthenshire County Council, complemented the children and staff for their efforts in closing the day-long event. http://wwec.org.uk/ Lorena Prist ED West Wales Announcement Corner EU energy and transport in figures The 2007/2008 statistical pocketbook provides a wealth of facts and figures on every aspect of energy and transport, from energy consumption by fuel type to passenger traffic at major airports. http://bookshop.europa.eu/uri?target=EUB:NOTICE:KOAB07001:EN:HTML Have your say: car labelling In the current context of energy and climate change, fuel efficiency and C02 emissions are two important factors to consider when purchasing a new automobile. The Commission is soliciting feedback from the public on how the information provided to consumers in car showrooms and advertisements can be made clearer and more consistent. The online consultation is open until 28 July 2008. http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=co2&lang=en Register of interest representatives As part of the European Transparency Initiative (see Newsletter 2008/5), the Commission officially launched its new voluntary register of interest representatives and accompanying Code of Conduct on Monday, 23 June 2008. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/transparency/regrin/welcome.do Bulk orders from DG Environment In the future, when ordering more than 100 copies of publications from DG Environment, please send your requests to  ENV-EUROPE-DIRECT@ec.europa.eu, where they can be processed in the shortest delay. ED Information Dossier no. 5: The Lisbon Treaty A new specialised information dossier – ‘The Lisbon Treaty, preparing the Union for the future’ – produced by the Helpdesk, is now available to download from the ED Intranet in English, French and German. Slides are also available in 22 languages. 2008 AGMs: project proposals If you would like to present one of your projects during the plenary session or a workshop, please send your proposal to the respective mailbox by 31 July 2008.  AGM_Athens_2008@coleurop.be  AGM_Budapest_2008@coleurop.be  AGM_Lisbon_2008@coleurop.be NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 7 Portrait Kristien Vandamme ED BrugES, BElgium help them, of course. If we do meet tourists who have some questions about the European Union, then we try to help them or we go to the internet and look for EUROPE DIRECT in their country. So, we try to help them and to promote our colleagues in the other regions and countries. Ann Savat: We have some brochures and leaflets in other languages, especially English, French and German. These are the three languages that we have. I think it is good if tourists can come and see what we have in other languages. EDN: In addition to your Relay, there is also a European Documentation Centre located in Bruges. How do you see the different parts of the EUROPE DIRECT Network working together to communicate on Europe? In the beginning when the Relay was established here in Bruges, we had contact with all of the information services communicating on Europe. And we did have contacts with the EDC. But the target public is totally different. The target group of the Relays is the citizen, while for the EDC it is more the intellectual type or the students. Kristien Vandamme (right) with her colleague Ann Savat EDN: First off, thank you for hosting lunch for the participants of our recent training seminar in Bruges. How did you feel about the event? I think the event was quite easy for us to do, because actually we only had to provide the location. It was well organised by the catering service. And I think it was a good occasion for colleagues from the other Member States to have a look at how we are established in Bruges. I think it is better to organise the seminars in Bruges than in Brussels. I think it is better because Bruges is a small town, and we have a Relay, so people can come in and it’s more informal. And the informal moments are very important in training seminars, because then you can talk, discuss and exchange experiences and ideas. EDN: As one of the founding Member States and as home to many of the institutions, Belgium holds a special place in the history of European integration. How would you judge current public opinion in Belgium on the European Union? I am very optimistic. People are interested in the European Union, but we are all very busy and we don’t have time to actually go to lots of debates and sessions in the evening. In our newspapers and magazines, there are articles about the European Union, and I know that people are reading about it. So, I’m quite optimistic. And if we do organise debates, we have many participants. Through our school programmes, we really see that people are eager to learn about the European Union. No, in West Flanders, we are not really negative about it. In the Westhoek around Ieper, the region has really changed with European funding. The people realise that the region had an upgrade thanks to the European Union. Lots of people are really convinced about the qualities of EU membership. EDN: Bruges is well known as a tourist destination, and your host structure is actually the West Flanders information office. Do you tailor your information services to the tourists who might pass by? In fact, we don’t have information about Europe for the tourists. We have tourists and also West Flemish people, who come in and they all think that we are the tourist information for the city of Bruges, which we are not. But we try to NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 8 Portrait EDN: The focus of this month’s Newsletter is EU Energy Policy. Construction has recently begun on a large wind farm off the Belgian coast, near Oostende. How is your Relay promoting EU efforts in the field of renewable energy and sustainable development? Yes, we will have a debate in October about climate, environment and energy in Bruges at the Provinciaal Hof. And we are also organising sessions in the superior schools, where we will invite professors from universities to discuss these issues. It is really a topic that is liked. People are aware about the environment problem and energy, so this is something we really can do a lot on. With energy, we have to pay every month for the gas and the electricity, and we are all complaining that it’s too expensive. For us, it is easier to set up actions with an impact on the consumer. question BoX Your favourite European city: Barcelona Your favourite European dish: Pasta Your favourite European magazine: Knack EDN: Are you planning to attend one of the Annual General Meetings this autumn? Of course. Athens. I was really hesitating between Athens and Portugal, but the dates for Athens suit me better. Your favourite European personality: Louis Michel Your favourite communication tool: E-mail EDN: Is there anything else that you would like to discuss? We have many ideas in Belgium, but because of the lack of funding and the lack of personnel, we can’t do many things. I am convinced that we should collaborate more, because we all have small budgets. If we put all the money together, then we can really establish good activities, where we can reach a large group. In West Flanders, we are very active in the primary schools, secondary schools and superior schools. But, for example, in East Flanders, our neighbouring province, they don’t have this offer. We should put all our money together, so we can have the same offer all over Flanders. There is, I think, a very good example of people really working together in the Netherlands. To bring the EU closer to its citizens who do you think are the people we need to target most when communicating the EU? Youngsters, 18 to 24 In three words: what is the biggest challenge for Europe in the future? The Lisbon Treaty. Or, to become one voice. NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 9 Partner Networks TheGreenSpiderNetwork What is the Green Spider Network? The Green Spider Network (GSN) of Environment Communicators is a network of communication professionals from national environmental ministries and agencies in Europe. The Communication Unit of DG Environment has been coordinating and financially supporting its activities for 10 years. The Network currently has about 50 members, mainly from EU Member States, but also from the candidate countries and the rest of Europe. The European Environment Agency is also a member of the Network, and the Spokesperson of the United Nations Environment Programme in Europe acts as a permanent observer. What can the Green Spider Network do? The Network does not have a direct outreach function to citizens; it is a forum for communicators to share information, ideas and good practice. The Network enables and encourages the coordination of communication activities across Europe and the replication of successful communication concepts, instead of national initiatives being developed independently and from scratch. Such synergies are useful for all, but particularly for the new Member States where resources are often limited and the level of environmental awareness remains low. For the Commission, the Network provides a platform for developing coordinated ways of communicating European environmental policies effectively within the framework of national strategies. DG Environment uses the Network for developing and coordinating its communication activities in the Member States, namely its awareness campaigns. It is much easier for the Commission to customise activities and messages to the needs of each Member State when it is fully aware of the national context and of past and on-going communication activities in the field. The members of the Green Spider Network can act as valuable multipliers for the Commission and, of course, the Commission can also learn a lot from the Member State experts. Environmental Communications Green Spider Network Each year, the Green Spiders meet in the country of the incumbent Network president. The annual meeting provides a great opportunity for the Network members to pool their expertise in effective ways to communicate environmental issues. The programme of the meeting is typically built around a specific theme, such as ‘communicating climate change’. Since 2006, the Network holds a yearly best practice competition where members are invited to present their best examples of environmental communication from the previous year. The best are selected to be presented at the annual meeting, where the participants decide by vote to whom the ‘Communication Initiative of the Year’ Award goes. The Green Spiders are supported by a secretariat, the ‘European Environmental Communication Networks’ (EECN) Secretariat funded by DG Environment. Under this umbrella, DG Environment can assist the functioning of networks that are active in the field of environmental public information and communication. Apart from practical support to individual networks (organisation of meetings, etc. ), the Secretariat is actively disseminating best practice in relation to environmental communications to a wider public through the EECN newsflash (free of charge) and a website. Who? The Green Spider Network of Environmental Communicators What for? Share information, ideas and good practice among European environmental communication experts Run by whom? DG Environment Where? EU27 + candidate countries, Iceland and Norway How to contact? GSN: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/networks/greenspider EECN: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/networks NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 10 News from the EU Continued from p. 1 ... Yet, what advantages does renewable energy offer? Firstly, renewConsumer electronics are inevitably accompanied by a tangle of able energy offers an opportunity for the European Union to records and power adapters. Modern technical wizardry also exduce its dependence on energy imports. At present, domestic proacts a toll on the environment – even in stand-by mode, these duction accounts for only 39.2% of gas devices consume a considerable amount and 16.4% of the total oil supply in the EU, of electricity and thus contribute to “The best energy is the energy that and these figures will only fall as reserves the rising demand for energy in Europe. is not used.” are depleted. Secondly, renewable energy Older television sets, for example, might is clean. In contrast to fossil fuels, most consume as much as 43.6 kWh per year renewables do not produce greenhouse gas emissions. The Comwhile in stand-by mode, compared to only 14.6 kWh for newer mission estimates that 600-900 million tonnes of C02 emissions models. Such an evident waste of energy has already prompted can be ‘saved’ per year, if the 20% target is met. Lastly, the drive a reaction from the institutions: the so-called Eco-design Direcfor renewable energy dovetails nicely with the Lisbon Strategy for tive was adopted in 2005. Eco-design, as the name implies, aims Growth and Jobs. “We are giving ourselves a first mover advantage to improve environmental performance by considering energy in a new industrial revolution that will unleash a wave of innovaconsumption and other factors at the earliest design phase. The tion and job creation in clean energy and high-efficiency technoloDirective empowers the Commission to establish, after consultagies,” explains Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. tion, requirements for specific categories of energy-using products. Although households can certainly contribute – for instance, by installing solar panels on their rooftops – the shift to renewable One year after the adoption of the eco-design legislation, anenergy will require significant investment on the part of industry. other Directive on energy efficiency was introduced. This set the Instead, individuals are better placed to make a significant impact relatively modest goal of 9% energy savings by 2016. Last March, by changing their behaviour, in small but meaningful ways. More the European Council pushed that target to 20% by 2020. Effithan 75% of respondents in a recent Eurobarometer poll already ciency gains on this scale will be an important factor in the enanticipate the need to change their energy consumption habits in ergy and climate change equation. the next decade, due to the effects of climate change. And indeed, energy efficiency – that is, doing more with less – is another one of It seems the daily headlines alternate between rising temperathe targets for 2020. tures and record oil prices, but these are not sensationalist stories. In the words of Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Commissioner Piebalgs once quipped, “The best energy is the en“The struggle against climate change and the quest for secure, ergy that is not used”. In other words, efforts to mitigate climate sustainable and competitive energy touches on every European, change will also depend on consumption and purchasing habits. every day”. The problem is real, and it demands an adequate The introduction of renewable enpolicy response now. With the range “responding to the challenge of climate ergy will be in vain, if the new capacof current initiatives, the European ity only serves to fulfil increased deUnion has shown that it is prepared change is the ultimate political test for mand rather than replace fossil fuel to lead global efforts on this front. our generation.” sources. On an individual level, enPresident Barroso continued in a ergy can be saved simply by installing more efficient lightbulbs, later speech, “Responding to the challenge of climate change is checking the pressure in car tyres or insulating homes. However, the ultimate political test for our generation”. Let the revolution in order to realise the full potential savings, energy efficiency begin. must be combined with product design. Last July, the Commission announced its intention to establish a European Charter on the Rights of Energy Consumers. http://ec.europa.eu/energy/energy_policy/consumers/index_en.htm NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 11 News from the EU What’s the big deal about biofuels? are far from assured. Others are blaming the recent rise in world food prices on the biofuels policy. These are valid concerns. While less than 1% of cereal production in the EU is currently used for bio-ethanol, the situation is more alarming in third countries, where deforestation and irresponsible land management are real threats. To be sure, Commission President José Manuel Barroso ordered a study on the possible link between food prices and biofuels in late April. More importantly, however, the Commission proposed a number of sustainability criteria for biofuels in the Renewable Energy Directive of January 2008. These are: » A debate is currently raging. Depending on whom you ask, biofuels either represent the future of transport or they pose a grave threat to the environment and our food supply. So, which is it? In the context of energy and climate change, biofuels seem – at first glance – to offer a panacea. Biofuels are derived from organic matter, which is a renewable resource. And since fuel crops, such as rapeseed or sunflower, can be grown domestically, biofuels will reduce the dependence on foreign oil imports. Moreover, biofuels are relatively clean compared with traditional energy sources, since fuel crops absorb a certain amount of carbon as they grow. According to policy-makers, biofuels are poised to make the biggest contribution in the field of transport. Today, the transport sector is almost completely dependent on fossil fuels. Consumers and commercial drivers have indeed felt the pinch of rising oil prices at the fuel pump in recent months. Already in 2003, the Commission set a target of 5.75% biofuels in transport fuel by 2010. At the current stage, it is unlikely that most Member States will achieve this objective. Still, in March 2007 the European Council raised the target to 10% by 2020. Many in the scientific community have raised complaints about this new target, arguing that the potential benefits of biofuels Biofuels must offer at least 35% savings in greenhouse gas emissions; Biodiversity must be respected, so undisturbed forests, nature protection areas and biodiverse grasslands may not be used for biofuel production; Land with high carbon stock, such as wetlands and continuously forested areas, may not be used for biofuel production; Biofuel production must also respect environmental requirements for agriculture. » » » A working group was established in February to further develop these criteria. The Commission hopes that by setting an example, it can encourage other countries to adopt similar standards for biofuels. Meanwhile, the European Union is promoting research into socalled second-generation biofuels. Second-generation biofuels will be produced from woody or fibrous materials, which offer a better alternative since they do not compete with food crops. Biofuels will certainly have a role to play in the future of our energy supply, but that role is still being defined by the ongoing debate. http://ec.europa.eu/energy/res/sectors/bioenergy_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/biomass/biofuel/index_en.htm NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 12 News from the EU Vote for your favourite natural wonder The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to the Colossus of Rhodes, still captivate the popular imagination. Over the course of time, however, all but one of these remarkable man-made structures – the Great Pyramid of Giza – have been destroyed by natural disasters or human negligence. Last July, the New7Wonders Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the documentation and conservation of our common heritage, announced the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’ during a ceremony in Lisbon. The winning monuments span the globe, from the Colosseum in Rome to Machu Picchu in Peru and the Great Wall of China. In total, more than 100 million votes were cast. Building on this success, the New7Wonders Foundation has launched the ‘New 7 Wonders of Nature’ campaign. The nomination process, as well as the first-round of voting, is open until 21 December 2008, at which point a panel of experts will create a shortlist of candidates. Over 50 locations in Europe have already been nominated, including the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland and the Santorini archipelago in Greece. The second-round of voting will proceed throughout 2009, with the final results to be announced in 2010. Schoolchildren, in particular, are encouraged to get involved in the campaign. http://www.new7wonders.com/ Faith in Europe today Three prominent monotheistic religions: Christianity, Islam and Judaism – have shaped the course of European history, and though religious observation might be in decline, communities of belief maintain their importance in our contemporary society. Since 2005, Commission President José Manuel Barroso has annually invited prominent faith leaders from these three traditions for an informal discussion. This year, representatives from different Christian denominations, as well as the Islamic and Jewish communities, met in Brussels on 5 May to discuss two salient issues: climate change and reconciliation. Climate change was described on the agenda as ‘an ethical challenge for all cultures’. Religions and communities of belief, it was agreed, can help mobilise large segments of society as Europe strives towards a sustainable future. In the context of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, the leaders also shared their views on reconciliation through interfaith or inter-religious dialogue (see Newsletter 2008/3, p. 13). Reconciliation – “building bridges between people” in the words of Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament – is important not only for solidarity and social harmony within Europe, but also for our relations abroad. In early June, President Barroso participated in the inauguration of the ‘Great Synagogue of Europe’ in Brussels. It is hoped that the synagogue, which currently serves the local population, will become a symbol for the wider Jewish community. President Barroso, in his speech, again emphasised the importance of intercultural dialogue and praised the Jewish diaspora “as a precursor to the Europe of today, ‘united in diversity’”. NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 13 News from the EU EuropeanCapitalsofCulture A CAPiTAl for A yEAr Europe is diverse, and so are its cities. Yet, towns like Paris and Porto, Glasgow and Krakow, Rotterdam and Reykjavik have one thing in common: they have all been elected European Capital of Culture in the past. In 1985, the historic city of Athens was the first of nearly 40 European cities to be awarded with this honorary title by the Council of Ministers. For one year, municipalities have the chance to showcase their culture and traditions and become a ‘must’ on the itinerary of culture lovers, students, and ‘Europe-in-three-days’visitors from around the world. But studies have shown that the initiative also has a long-term influence on the social, cultural and economic fabric of the cities and regions in question. It is therefore no wonder that almost every European city, large or small, has applied to be or would like to become a Capital of Culture – even if it is just for twelve months. As of 2013, a new streamlined eligibility process will be in place. The pre-selection of the French and Slovakian cities will start in December… so let the competition begin! Selection of European Capitals of Culture as of 2013 Six years before event Submission of applications: Two Member States (rotation principle) Cultural programmes for categories ‘European Dimension’ and ‘City and Citizens’ Pre-selection of candidate cities (short-list) Selection panel for each country: seven members from EU institutions, six from country Nine months later Final selection of two cities Selection panel for each country: seven members from EU institutions, six from country Four years before event Two cities designated by the Council of Ministers Current and future European Capitals of Culture » » » » » » » » 2008: Stavanger (Norway) and Liverpool (United Kingdom) 2009: Linz (Austria), Vilnius (Lithuania) 2010: Essen (Germany), Pécs (Hungary), Istanbul (Turkey) (non-EU category) 2011: Tallinn (Estonia), Turku (Finland) 2012: Guimarães (Portugal), Maribor (Slovenia) 2013: France, Slovakia 2014: Latvia, Sweden 2015: Belgium, Czech Republic EuropeanYears A nEw moTTo EvEry yEAr Themed parties are in – that’s a fact. And themed European Years are similar, except they last for twelve whole months. This year’s theme is ‘Together in Diversity’ – and the party guests are out celebrating it! All over Europe citizens are getting together in conferences, exhibitions, discussions, shows and parties to commemorate the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. But on 1 January 2009, the party guests will have to dance to the beat of a different drum, and new speeches will have to be written as the Year of Creativity and Innovation begins. This means that the campaigns, meetings and other activities will focus on science, technology, innovation, creativity and culture. And in 2010 the theme changes again, this time to a very serious matter with a more sombre air: Poverty and Social Exclusion. There are currently 78 million Europeans living at risk of poverty, with rates being particularly high among children, certain minority groups and socially excluded people. This highlights one more advantage that themed European Years have over parties: there are no exclusive guest lists. Everyone is invited to celebrate the year, raise awareness and make a difference. Current and future European Years » » » 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue: http://www.interculturaldialogue2008.eu/ 2009 European Year of Creativity and Innovation: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM :2008:0159:FIN:EN:HTML 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELE X:52007SC1662:EN:HTML NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 14 News from the EU Improvingcommunicationthrough audiovisualmedia Just as we each struggle to filter and process the daily flood of information that arrives in our inboxes and over the airwaves, so too do information providers struggle to have their message heard above the din. For the European Union, this challenge is magnified by the large and geographically dispersed population, which speaks no fewer than 23 different languages, and that is only counting the official languages. A recent Eurobarometer poll reveals the majority of Europeans would, in fact, like to receive more information about the EU; however, the national media devotes less than 10% of the time allocated to national news to EU-related stories. How then to communicate Europe? “One of the central objectives of our communication policy is to help develop a European public sphere and to empower citizens by giving them access to information. Citizens have a right to know what goes on at EU level and to engage in a democratic debate,” explains Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström. To this end, the Commission already offers a wide array of audiovisual services for the public and media professionals alike (see Newsletter 2008/2, p. 14). Yet, more can be done. In a new Communication, appropriately titled ‘Communicating Europe through audiovisual media’, the Commission sets forth a series of concrete proposals to bolster coverage of EU affairs on television, radio and the internet. The idea is to reach more Europeans through their preferred media outlets. The EU radio network, EuRaNet, is already operational and the EU TV network will be launched later this year. Other steps include: expanding the capacity and scope of Europe by Satellite (EbS), which will have a second channel, EbS Plus from January 2009; continuing support for the EuroNews TV channel and, in particular, the Arabic version to be launched in July 2008; creating a ‘one-stop-shop’ EU events calendar; and increasing the Commission’s own production of audiovisual content. For more information: http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/ http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/wallstrom/ Cleanenergyfordevelopingcountries “Today some 1.6 billion people in the poorer countries of the world still have no regular access to reliable energy services,” Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas told his audience at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali, last December. Affordable energy, according to the Commissioner, is one piece of the global poverty puzzle. Yet, this must also be set in the environmental context. As in Europe, new power generation capacity in developing countries should be clean and sustainable, harnessing both renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. From a purely financial perspective, however, these projects are an unsure investment. The start-up costs are high compared to conventional technologies, and the return on investment can only be realised over the long term. Coupled with the small size of these projects – typically, less than EUR 10 million – and the other risks associated with developing countries, it is difficult to attract sufficient private investment. The Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund (GEEREF), first proposed in 2006 but only now coming into operation, aims to address these challenges (see Newsletter 2006/8, p. 7). “It is both a development tool and a contribution to the global efforts to fight climate change,” explained Commissioner Dimas. The GEEREF has been devised as a public-private partnership, providing risk capital as well as technical assistance to investors. To serve different energy markets better, the GEEREF will invest through regional sub-funds. The European Commission has already pledged about EUR 80 million up to 2010, but the goal is to mobilise upwards of EUR 1 billion eventually from public and private sources. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/jrec/energy_fund_en.htm http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l27063.htm NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 15 News from the EU Celebrate the potato! Potatoes can be peeled, chopped, boiled, puréed, baked and fried; they can be served alone or as part of more elaborate dishes. In short, the ‘humble tuber’ is as versatile as it is venerable. The potato is an important link in the global food chain, and demand for this crop is expected to grow in parallel with the population. To raise awareness about the importance of the potato, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has designated 2008 as the International Year of the Potato. Potatoes have been cultivated in the Andes mountain range of South America for thousands of years, but were only introduced to Europe in the mid-16th century. Today, Europe remains one of the more important potatoproducing regions. Visit the website to discover more about the potato, including recipes and fun facts. Did you know, for example, that the average European consumes 96 kilograms of potatoes a year? http://www.potato2008.org/ An online resource for performing abroad The festival circuit can be exhausting for performers, dashing from one appearance to the next. In between rehearsals, artists – whether performing at the Festival d’Avignon or the Edinburgh Fringe – must also navigate the application procedures, visa requirements, language barriers and other practical details arising from each of their international engagements. On-the-Move (OTM), ‘the performing arts traveller's toolkit’, is a web portal devoted to professional mobility in Europe. In addition to providing up-to-date news and announcements, the site offers a large collection of links to other online resources, which can be searched or browsed by topic. This makes it easy to find more information about funding opportunities, tax implications and other questions of relevance to the travelling artist. OTM also produces publications of its own that cover specialised topics like performers’ rights. OTM, available in English and German, was created by the International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts (IETM) in 2003, and has since attracted the support of the Open Society Institute, DG Education and Culture and many local partners. http://www.on-the-move.org/ QUOTE TAoiSEACh BriAn CowEn “There is no obvious solution before us.” Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen after the Irish electorate voted against the Lisbon Treaty in a nation-wide referendum. Without an immediate response at hand, the European Council agreed to re-visit the issue at its summit on 15 October 2008. Meanwhile, the ratification process is expected to continue in the other Member States. A Flash Eurobarometer poll, conducted in the days after the Irish referendum, sought to understand the reasons behind the vote. NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 16 Young Europeans European Youth Speak – engaging young people in debate Under the motto ‘Unity in Diversity Exchange’ the participants attended ‘icebreaking sessions’ to learn the three most useful words in the various languages and find out about cultural specialties. They were also able to improve their communication and debating skills in training sessions and discussions, as well as hold speeches along the lines of Hyde Park’s ‘Speaker's Corner’ – except on this occasion in Amsterdam’s Oosterpark. And the participants’ expectations were fulfilled: they liked the creative elements of the sessions, learned more about the different cultures and improved their debating skills. European Youth Speak (EYS) was created last year as ‘a place for [the] exchange of ideas and arguments on the current state of Europe and its relations with the rest of the world’. It is one of the many debating projects that IDEA has initiated since its establishment in 1999. One of them is the annual IDEA Youth Forum which attracts around 250 students and coaches from 30 different countries every year. This year, the forum will take place in Smolyan, Bulgaria on 23 July–5 August. Registration for the IDEA Youth Forum is available at: http://www.idebate.org/ideaforum/ http://www.euyouthspeak.org/ http://www.idebate.org/ “I wanted to improve my debating skills, practice and theory.” This was the expectation of one of the 50 participants taking part in the second European Youth Speak Conference in Amsterdam from 4-9 May. The event was organised by the International Debate Education Association (IDEA) under the EU Youth in Action Programme. Each of the six participating countries – Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania and Slovakia – was represented by seven students between the ages of 16 and 21 and one supervisor. KidsCall: children against climate change Saving the planet is one of the most difficult tasks we are currently faced with. While the political elites are still discussing who is responsible for polluting the environment, the youngest among us have long since realised what it’s all about. But how can they get their message across to the politicians? This is exactly where the international youth campaign KidsCall by the World Future Council aims to help. Children and teenagers are being encouraged to have their say on the fight against climate change. To make sure that the message hits home, all contributions will be handed over to the politicians taking part in the G8 Summit in Japan on 7 July. KidsCall has launched a website (http://www.kidscall.info/), where participants can upload their messages in the form of writing, pictures, songs or videos. The resonance this has found among young people is impressive. A child from Kiel, Germany suggests introducing a ‘lights-off’-day to save energy, while 13-year-old Tomás Rafael from Portugal thinks that beaches and seas should no longer be polluted with litter and waste waters and that those responsible should themselves take care of the clean-up. In a video message, Andrea from Switzerland (aged 17) appeals to the politicians to make climate change their priority as it has repercussions for herself, her children and the future of mankind. A new programme to protect the climate after 2012 is at the top of the agenda of the Hokkaido Toyako Summit. Let’s hope that the politicians listen to the concerns of the up-and-coming generation and that the results of their discussions will be more than just ‘hot air’. http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/  kids@kidscall.info NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 17 Young Europeans Ideas to shape the future of Europe It is a factory unlike any other. Creative energy and political enthusiasm are the raw materials, which are shaped along the assembly line by peer feedback and open debate, to finally emerge as the finished product: fresh and challenging perspectives on current affairs. Welcome to the Ideas Factory Europe. Too often, the voice of the young generation goes unheeded in policy debates. Young Europeans, who do not see their concerns reflected by today's decision-makers, are growing disenchanted with the political process. The Ideas Factory attempts to channel this frustration by posing a simple question: ‘How would you do things differently if you were in charge?’ It is an open invitation, one that encourages free thought and provocative ideas. One recent debate, for example, was prompted by the question of ‘precarious jobs’, the short-term, low-paying contracts that seem so prevalent in today’s labour market. Some argued that this is merely the result of the desire for more flexibility on the part of both employers and employees, while others wondered if a high level of education no longer provides a competitive advantage in the market-place. ‘Precarious jobs’ are a cause of anxiety for many young people, and the Ideas Factory offers a unique forum to discuss the issue plainly. Join the debate today. The Ideas Factory accepts short submissions, no longer than one A4 page in length. Topics that elicit a big response in the online forum might become the focus of a brainstorming meeting, or even be developed into a publication. Ideas Factory Europe is sponsored by the European Policy Centre, an independent think tank in Brussels. http://www.ideasfactoryeurope.eu/  ideasfactory@epc.eu KEY FIGURE $132 The climate and energy package gained new urgency as the price of crude oil hit $132 per barrel in May – double the price of one year ago and up from an average of $25 in 2002. The price of oil has a profound impact on production and transport costs, which are often then passed on to consumers, fuelling inflation. In the Communication ‘Facing the challenge of higher oil prices’, published on 11 June 2008, the Commission outlines both the probable causes and possible responses to the situation. NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 18 ABC ABC unbundling Following the principles of the Single Market, European consumers should be able to choose their gas and electricity suppliers freely. Yet, the internal energy market remains fractured along national lines and often dominated by large established suppliers. Market reforms began in 1998, but much remains to be done. The internal energy market is composed of two distinct elements: the transmission network that delivers electricity or gas to the consumer, on the one hand, and the power generation or processing facilities, on the other. Today, many ‘vertically integrated’ companies control both production and distribution in their respective national markets. These companies have no incentive to open their transmission networks to potential competitors, and it is economically unimaginable for a new supplier wishing to enter the market to build a parallel network. For this reason, the Commission advocates ‘unbundling’ or separating the transmission network from the supply side. How this can best be achieved is currently under discussion as part of the so-called ‘third liberalisation package’. A single European energy market will foster cross-border competition, which will not only encourage gas and electricity companies to invest in their infrastructure and production capacities, but also result in lower prices and better service for consumers. Carbon leakage Carbon leakage occurs if country A imposes restrictions on emissions, and this leads to an increase of emissions in country B where climate policy is weaker. There are two main reasons for this phenomenon. If the costs for emissions in country A are higher than in country B, the latter will gain a competitive advantage and energy-intensive industries might move their production from country A to country B. Carbon leakage can also result if country A imposes premiums on certain fuels or commodities. In this case, the demand for these products decreases in country A but rises in country B where the commodities are cheaper. To solve the problem of carbon leakage, politicians can either grant free emission allowances for the industries that are primarily affected or they can impose a ‘carbon tax’ on imports from country B into country A. In the conclusions of this year’s spring summit, the European Council recognised the problem of carbon leakage, calling for an international agreement and the inclusion of this issue in the new Emission Trading Scheme Directive. 6 Summary for Policymakers Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) The long-term goals for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions cannot be achieved solely on the basis of efficiency gains and the adoption of renewable energy sources. As global power consumption rises, driven in particular by demand from developing countries, fossil fuels will continue to provide a significant portion of the overall energy mix. It is therefore imperative that new technologies and processes help ‘clean’ the emissions from fossil fuel power generation and other C02-intensive industries. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is one such approach. Instead of releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the gas is collected (‘captured’) at the production facility and transported to an appropriate geological storage site, where it is then injected underground. Assuming the storage site is well chosen and managed, the C02 could remain trapped for hundreds or thousands of years. In January, the Commission proposed a regulatory framework for CCS as part of the climate and energy package. Twelve demonstration plants that employ CSS technology are expected to be operational by 2015. Figure SPM.4. Overview of geological storage options (based on Figure 5.3) (Courtesy CO2CRC). resistant material. Shipping of CO2, analogous to shipping of liquefied petroleum gases, is economically feasible under specific conditions but is currently carried out on a small scale due to limited demand. CO2 can also be carried by rail and road tankers, but it is unlikely that these could be attractive options for large-scale CO2 transportation (Sections 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.3.2, Figure 4.5, 4.6). 7. Storage of CO2 in deep, onshore or offshore geological formations uses many of the same technologies that have been developed by the oil and gas industry and has been proven to be economically feasible under specific conditions for oil and gas fields and saline formations, but not yet for storage in unminable coal beds8 (see Figure SPM.4). 8 Source: International Panel on Climate Change, Special If CO is Report on Carbon Dioxide Capturefields,injected into suitable salinevarious physical and andatStorage 800 m , formations or oil or gas depths below 2 9 NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / geochemical trapping mechanisms would prevent it from migrating to the surface. In general, an essential physical trapping mechanism is the presence of a caprock10. Coal bed storage may take place at shallower depths and relies on the adsorption of CO2 on the coal, but the technical feasibility largely depends on the permeability of the coal bed. The combination of CO2 storage with Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR11) or, potentially, Enhanced Coal Bed Methane recovery (ECBM) could lead to additional revenues from the oil or gas recovery. Well-drilling technology, injection technology, computer simulation of storage reservoir performance and monitoring methods from existing applications are being A coal bed that is unlikely to ever be mined – because it is too deep or too thin – may be potentially used for CO2 storage. If subsequently mined, the stored CO2 would be released. Enhanced Coal Bed Methane (ECBM) recovery could potentially increase methane production from coals while simultaneously storing CO2. The produced methane would be used and not released to the atmosphere (Section 5.3.4). 9 At depths below 800–1,000 m, CO2 becomes supercritical and has a liquid-like density (about 500–800 kg m-3) that provides the potential for efficient utilization of underground storage space and improves storage security (Section 5.1.1). 10 Rock of very low permeability that acts as an upper seal to prevent fluid flow out of a reservoir. 11 For the purposes of this report, EOR means CO2-driven Enhanced Oil Recovery. 19 CALENDAR ALL YEAR ALL YEAR ALL YEAR European Year of Intercultural Dialogue European Capitals of Culture: Liverpool and Stavanger International Year of Languages JUNE 01.07.08 01.07.08 - 05.07.08 01.07.08 - 02.07.08 02.07.08 02.07.08 03.07.08 03.07.08 - 04.07.08 03.07.08 - 05.07.08 06.07.08 - 10.07.08 EUROPEAN UNION EUROPE DIRECT OTHER Baena, Spain: Start of 2nd Series of Radio Emissions on Intercultural Dialogue (Member Event ID: 7679) Katowice, Poland: ‘Let's Get to Know Europe’ - Free Summer Workshops (Member Event ID: 10200) Stavanger, Norway: Bocuse d’Or Europe - European Cuisine Championship (www.bocusedor.com) Brussels, Belgium: ‘The New Nuclear Wave: Perspectives for the 21st Century’(www.europeanmovement.org) Krakow, Poland: ‘The Other Europeans’ – Yiddish and Roma music, culture and identity (www.the-other-europeans.eu) Brussels, Belgium: ‘The Geopolitical Challenges of EU Energy Policy’ (www.ceps.eu) Paris, France: 40th Anniversary of the Customs Union (www.ue2008.fr) Amsterdam, Netherlands: StrangerFestival – International Festival for Young Video Makers & Fans (www.strangerfestival.com) Vienna, Austria: 13th International Energy Congress & Exhibition (www.energex2008.com) week 28 07.07.08 - 09.07.08 07.07.08 - 10.07.08 10.07.08 - 13.07.08 10.07.08 - 11.07.08 11.07.08 12.07.08 13.07.08 - 14.07.08 Hokkaido Toyako, Japan: G8 Summit (www.g8summit.go.jp) Strasbourg, France: Plenary Session of the European Parliament (www.europarl.europa.eu) Timişoara, Romania: International Romani Art Festival (www.interculturaldialogue2008.eu) Lausanne, Switzerland: 8th European Conference on e-Government (www.academic-conferences.org/eceg/eceg2008/eceg08-home.htm) World Population Day (www.unfpa.org/wpd) Wrexham, United Kingdom: Caia Park Environmental Group Education Awareness Open Day (Member Event ID: 8790) Paris, France: Paris Summit for the Mediterranean (www.ue2008.fr) week 29 14.07.08 - 18.07.08 17.07.08 - 19.07.08 18.07.08 - 22.07.08 18.07.08 - 27.07.08 Stuttgart, Germany: ‘France – An EU Founding Member in a Position of Special Responsibility’ (Member Event ID: 9969) New York, United States: First Annual Youth Leadership Summit (www.thepeoplespeak.org/activities/youth-leadership-summit.html) Barcelona, Spain: Euroscience Open Forum 2008 (www.esof2008.org) Liverpool, United Kingdom: 58th International Session of the European Youth Parliament (www.eypej.org) week 30 25.07.08 25.07.08 Smolyan, Bulgaria: ‘Opportunities to Fund Agricultural Activities in the Rhodopes’ (Member Event ID: 9513) Copenhagen, Denmark: ‘Workcamp – Healthy Food and Funny Sport’ (www.interculturaldialogue2008.eu) >> Next Newsletter, August/September 2008: Focus on the EU’s Role in the World NEWSLETTER no.7 July 2008 / 20