Brussels, 15th December 2007

EURO COOP is the European Community of Consumer Cooperatives, whose members are the national organisations of consumer cooperatives in 17 European countries. Created in 1957, EURO COOP today represents over 3,200 local and regional cooperatives, the members of which amount to more than 22 million consumers across Europe.

Introductory remarks

The European Commission launched on 29 June a public web consultation to gather comments on the Green Paper: "Adaptation to Climate Change in Europe - Options for EU action". These below are the comments that Euro Coop presented when responding to the paper. They are mainly focused on the necessity to take the Climate Change challenge into the utmost consideration when formulating all different policies and on the key role played by consumer co-operatives in curbing Climate Change effects. In this regard, a particular mention has been given to the specific action carried out by consumer co-operatives vis-à-vis consumer information and education, i.e. two of the key areas where action is needed to change citizens' habits and thus effectively counteract Climate Change effects.

What will be the most severe impacts on Europe's natural environment, economy and society?

Among the most severe environmental effects, forests will be damaged by reduced water availability, wind damages, higher temperatures and increased bushfires. Extreme events and severe precipitations, sea and flash floods, droughts and forest fires are likely to increase. Landslides can cause damage to buildings, transport and industrial infrastructure and consequently impact on financial and insurance sectors. Damage outside the EU will also affect its economy. Economy will thus undergo substantial changes and also society composition will deeply change, for example because of migrations. The availability and price of basic consumer products, particularly foodstuffs, will be threatened.

Which of the adverse effects of Climate Change identified in the Green Paper and its Annex concern you most?

Being such a transversal issue, all adverse effects caused by Climate Change are source of great concern. Nevertheless, effects on food availability and price are of primary importance for consumer co-operatives as it is the case of a possible rises in energy supply and transportation costs.

Should further important impacts be added?

No, we think that the Green Paper correctly detects the most important impacts.

Does the green paper place the right urgency and emphasis on the matter of adaptation in Europe?

Consumer co-operatives believe that still more emphasis should be attached to the necessity to have an organised action in the field of Climate Change. If the EU is serious about adaptation, it should be ready to take tough political choices, looking critically at agricultural, transport and energy policies. The policies in these areas often directly contribute to Climate Change in significant amounts. The EU should thus ensure that it does not continue to encourage conflicting behaviour and that Climate Change should be a consideration in all EU activities.

What should be the different roles of EU, national, regional, local authorities and the private sector?

The adaptation defy is global but local authorities are chiefly concerned. The EU should enable them to act trough direct funding or providing technical expertise. Among the different policies, energy efficiency should be key. As to the private sector, consumer co-operatives are privileged actors. They have strong links with local communities and are engaged in actions spacing from measuring and reducing emissions to informing members towards a lower carbon lifestyle, energy efficiency and the use of renewables. Authorities at all levels should promote co-operative societies and motivate other private sectors to engage in similar behaviours while penalising those who do not.

Which economic, social and environmental impacts of Climate Change should be addressed at EU level as a matter of priority?

Economic, social and environmental impacts concerning agriculture, energy and transport should be addressed at EU level as a matter of priority. In particular, the EU should pay special attention to Climate Change effects which have a direct impact on the availability of food supply.

Apart from the main priority areas identified in the four-action approach, are there other areas that have been missed out?

No, the areas have been correctly identified.

Does section 5.1 correctly and comprehensively identify the needs and policy priorities for early adaptation actions that should either be taken or coordinated at the EU level?

This section lacks the mentioning of consumer policies, which are essential when addressing the Climate Change challenge. Consumer co-operatives are key actors in striving to change consumer habits as their goal is not the profit and as they are directly owned by consumers who are looking at their and future generations' well-being. Environmental concerns are therefore key for consumer co-operatives, which have been developing since decades (and in some cases since more than a century) a large number of consumer awareness and information activities all across the EU.

How do policy priorities need to change for different sectors?

Policy priorities should be redefined taking into consideration areas that, within the different sectors, are most sensitive from suffering to Climate Change effects. Consumers must be duly informed and educated so to operate aware consumer choices when interfacing all different sectors.

Which policy approaches should be taken at national, regional or local level?

Coordinated policy approaches should be taken at all administrative levels. All policies should primarily aim at better energy efficiency. Consumer co-operatives have a long track in implementing eco-efficiency measures and therefore represent a valuable source of best practices which could be further mainstreamed.

Where is European action needed?

The EU should act in every sector where it has direct responsibility and encourage actions at Member State level. Particular actions should be undertaken as regards consumer education and information. To change consumer habits is in fact one of the key challenges to address in order to be successful in tackling Climate Change.

How can EU agriculture and fisheries policy be adapted to help these sectors adjust to the impacts of Climate Change?

Agriculture can be helped through a more efficient use of fertilizers and an enhanced research. A more rational use of resources (with special reference to water) should be further supported. Sustainable agricultural practices like organic farming should be also encouraged and promoted. In this respect, consumer co-operatives have a long historical track as the promotion of organic products is in many cases a traditional part of wider sustainability and CSR policies.

What will be the likely consequences of Climate Change for trade in agricultural products?

In the medium-long run, offer of agricultural products will change structurally for example because of areas be converted to new cultivations. Trade will therefore have to adapt to the changing situation and there could be food shortages and possible rises in the prices of food products.

How should the EU express its solidarity with regions suffering most heavily from the consequences of Climate Change?

The EU should express its solidarity in the best and most effective ways possible by providing financial support where needed and necessary expertise to cope with emergencies.

How should EU policy on public health take the impact of Climate Change into account?

EU policy on public health should primarily focus on information and education especially through prevention campaigns. A good widespread understanding of the possible risks related to climate-sensitive diseases could dramatically reduce the spreading of infectious illnesses.

What will be the consequences of Climate Change for Member States' potential energy mix and for European energy policy?

The Member States' energy mix will have to be revised towards low-carbon energy sources, i. e. renewables (solar photovoltaic; thermal solar; micro-generation; hydroelectric sources; biomass; tele-heating).This will be one of the most effective ways to curb Climate Change together with energy efficiency policies. In this context, consumer co-operatives have already implemented a long series of actions and have also a long track in carrying out education and information activities vis-à-vis the consumers so to attain real changes in consumer habits. They are also engaged since a long time to use renewable energies inside their buildings.

Which actions are most urgent and to be implemented by the Commission as a matter of priority?

Priority should be always given to the areas which are due to suffer most from Climate Change (South of Europe; Mediterranean basin; Alps; coastal zones etc.) and in particular to the areas disposing of fewer resources to combat its effects. Support victims of Climate Change and help poor countries transition towards a low carbon society is also essential. This could be achieved through the subsidiary principle that already governs much of the EU's behaviour. The EU could also pay attention to providing new economic opportunities to areas that can no longer rely on past practices (e.g. the desertification of Spain will reduce the size of the economically significant Tourism sector).

Which actions have a low priority for Commission implementation?

In principle there are no actions which will have low priority due to the intersectoriality of the issue. However, sectors in which the effects of Climate Change are for the moment only indirect (e. g. insurance and financial sectors) could be given a lower priority.

Which actions are irrelevant for Commission implementation?

There are no actions which could be considered as irrelevant.

What are the possible synergies between adaptation and mitigation measures? How can these synergies be strengthened?

Both mitigation and adaptation seek to avoid the potential damages of Climate Change and to support the development of present and future generations in a sustainable way. However, their influence and incidence of are different and further research is needed to identify synergies and conflicts. It might be counterproductive to force integration of the two strategies. Yet, many adaptation options are pathways to effective and long-term mitigation, like-wise mitigation options can facilitate planned adaptation. Adaptation and mitigation options should be considered in a framework of sustainable development and should thus avoid conflicts with each other.

In the context of EU policy, how can companies and citizens be encouraged to participate in adaptation actions?

Communication and education are key in understanding the challenges posed by Climate Change. Therefore the EU should use every means to inform both consumers and companies in order to raise a critical public awareness. Information and education are in fact key factors when trying to change consumption patterns and then actively participate in adaptation actions. Enterprise policies should be directed towards a strong Corporate Social Responsibility. Consumer co-operatives are good examples of socially responsible enterprises and their activities in this field could be seen as best practices to follow.

How will Climate Change affect the policy priorities of the EU's external policies?

Priorities in EU external policies will need to be redefined according to the new scenarios created by Climate Change effects. The most sensitive policy areas should become a shared concern for the EU and the other countries in order to develop successful co-operation processes. In this respect, concerns regarding possible food shortages must be given the utmost importance.

Which priorities should the EU set for its co-operation programmes in the different parts of the World with respect to adaptation to Climate Change?

Its co-operation programmes should firstly address the effects and the risks posed by Climate Change, with particular reference to immediate threats (rise in sea levels, draughts, access to water, food shortages and spreading of climate-sensitive diseases). The EU should provide its expertise and technical assistance whenever it is the case and develop common strategies to tackle possible future problems. A joint approach EU-rest of the world is key to face the Climate Change challenge and should develop towards a coherent policy of sustainability.

Which are the main opportunities and obstacles for adaptation in different parts of the World?

Obstacles mainly lie in the political acceptance that Climate Change is happening (e. g. US, China) and in the subsequent willingness to take action. Once these obstacles will be overcome, joint strategies could be developed to better tackle possible difficulties. Opportunities lie in the different co-operation ways (dialogue, partnerships) as well as in the possibility to build together a sustainable future.

What are the best options to make the EU's external action more resilient to Climate Change?

The Climate Change item should be mainstreamed in all EU external actions thus becoming a strong signal of a widespread and shared concern.

What could be the value added for EU action compared to other international initiatives including, for instance, the UNFCCC and multi-lateral funding instruments?

The EU value added lies in the peculiar model it represents. The EU is now leader in policies and concrete actions aimed at curbing Climate Change and could thus share its knowledge in know-how to build strategic parterships.

Does the Green Paper foresee sufficient participation of the different stakeholders in identifying and implementing EU adaptation actions?

The participation of different stakeholders is sufficient but should be further enhanced. In the topics detected for the stakeholder consultation consumer issues should be included.

Should stakeholders from the EU's neighbours and other regions be involved?

Yes, they should.

Would the establishment of a European Advisory Group on Adaptation be helpful in further exploring an EU response to the effects of Climate Change?

The establishment of a European Advisory Group on Adaptation could be a desirable step and consumer co-operatives should have their own representation in there. A mention to Climate Change should be though included in the widest number of groups operating in different sectors as Climate Change is for its own nature a cross-cutting issue. This would mainstream the concept in the broadest way possible.

For more information please contact:
Rosita Zilli, Policy Officer, Euro Coop
Tel: +32 (0)2 285 00 72
E-mail: rzilliateurocoop.coop