The European Institute's Roundtable on the Environment examines the strategic and human implications of global warming, addresses the global economic implications of energy and climate change policies, and monitors the progress of EU and U.S. climate change legislation. The Roundtable also serves to evaluate the implications of emerging U.S. and European competition in such regions as the Arctic and Antarctic, and transatlantic efforts to mitigate the depletion of natural resources.

Recent Meetings:

A delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy that included The Hon. Catherine Trautmann (MEP–France), Vice-Chair and The Hon. Giles Chichester, Member of the Committee, along with The Hon. Jonathan Evans (MEP-UK), Chairman of the Delegation for Relations with the U.S. discussed the effectiveness of the European ETS as well as transatlantic cooperation on energy and climate change issues. Participants included  James Slutz, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy and Angelos Pangratis, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Commission. There was a consensus that although there are problems with the current ETS, it does work and it is a positive initiative toward developing new technologies.

H.E. Pierre Vimont, newly appointed Ambassador of France to the United States, discussed President Nicolas Sarkozy’s goals for the EU, as France assumes the presidency of the European Council in the latter part of 2008. The European Union should focus on four points: economic growth; internal security and the growing concerns about immigration; environmental protection and climate change; external relations and the EU’s role in the international community. Ambassador Vimont stressed that the EU needs to “put its house in order” and decide on the new constitution, a common defense policy, and enlargement. France has proposed the creation of a committee of “wisemen” to address these difficult issues.

The Hon. Paolo Costa (MEP-Italy), Chairman of the Transport Committee and members of the Committee discussed the status of the EU-U.S. Aviation Agreement (also known as the Open Skies Agreement), the inclusion of aviation into the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), and aviation security issues. U.S. participants included Michael Scardaville, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Policy and International Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Paul Gretch, Director of the Office of International Aviation, U.S. Department of Transportation.

Held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, the seminar focused on ways to enhance transatlantic approaches towards energy security and emerging economies. The German Presidency’s initiatives in this were outlined by Johannes Haindl, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany. H.E. Janusz Reiter, Ambassador of Poland to the United States, indicated that an external energy supply is forcing the EU to make choices in energy security issues. Kenneth A. Myers III, Senior Professional Staff Member, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, opined that NATO has the most comprehensive approach towards energy policies. Matthew Bryza, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State, stressed public private partnerships in pipeline prospects, dependency on Russian energy, and gas flows from the Caspian Sea region into Europe. From an industry perspective, Tracey McMinn, Government Relations Advisor at Shell, gave an analysis of the energy demand and supply of emerging nations. The Hon. Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner for Energy, European Commission, highlighted the EU’s leadership on energy and climate policies, which can build an international consensus for combating climate change. As significant progress has been made during the Vienna E.U.-U.S. summit lasts year, there are more opportunities for transatlantic cooperation in the energy field. The discussion was moderated by Robert McNally, Managing Director of Tudor Investment Corporation.

His Excellency Klaus Scharioth, Ambassador of Germany to the United States, outlined the priorities of the German Presidency of the European Union, which runs  January-June, 2007. He address a number of areas the Presidency will tackle, including the EU Constitution and enlargement, climate change, instability in the Middle East and global trade challenges such as intellectual property rights protections. He emphasized the need for a more cohesive transatlantic strategy on these and other global concerns and noted that transatlantic partnerships are vital to the success of the Presidency’s goals on these issues.