EU politicians commute 'damaging environment' 25/04/2007 - 01:15:42
The monthly commute by EU parliamentarians from Brussels to Strasbourg produces at least an extra 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide a year, according to a study commissioned by the EU Greens.
Failure to designate just one seat for the EU assembly for political reasons "hastens climate change and undermines EU efforts to cut CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020," said Caroline Lucas, a British Green Party member.
Members of the European Parliament and their staff are based in a huge complex of buildings in Brussels, but commute 450 kilometres to Strasbourg for four-day sessions once a month, as do European commissioners, who address the parliament there.
The commute costs European taxpayers some €206m and is responsible for at least 20,268 tons of additional carbon dioxide emissions every year, according to the study carried out by British environmentalist John Whitelegg, a professor teaching at the University of York.
