Climate Change Accord to Be Top Priority During Sweden's Turn in EU Presidency

摘要

Achieving a consensus on a successor to the Kyoto Protocol at the U.N. climate summit in Copenhagen in December will be Sweden's "principal task" during its upcoming turn in the EU presidency, according to the government.rnA spokesman for the Swedish Environment Ministry told BNA June 17 that eco-efficiency-meeting environmental and economic challenges together-and marine pollution also will be high priorities during the six-month rotating presidency, which begins July 1, when Sweden takes over from the Czech Republic.rnWhile the EU presidency does not increase a nation's ability to dictate EU policy, the post does allow it to chair meetings of the European Council and thus to play a central role in negotiating agreements.rnMattias Johansson, press secretary to Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren, said climate change and issues related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions are expected to dominate the next six months.