1. A real perspective on a constructive agreement on climate change policies within a year. At the beginning of this week signs from Bali were still on yellow. But Australia has added a shade of green by announcing the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. And yesterday the US switched the light on green. The Environment Committee of the Senate passed the Liebermann Warner Bill, which is expected to be a groundbreaking new federal emissions policy. The full Senate will have the final vote.
2. 2. Confirmation of 23 January as the publication date of the EU renewable energy Directive. Discussions about the trade of renewable energy and about the burden sharing are seeming to converge right now. In the end, all paperwork prepared by European Commission officials will be concluded at the highest level, by Commissioners Piebalgs, Dimas and Barroso themselves. Please give them this opportunity next month.
3. 3. Let’s get back to normal behaviour again. At present, the energy and climate issue has succumbed a bit to media hype. Of course I’m partially to blame, being a journalist myself. And I must say, this hype is effective in creating awareness with the public. But that’s not enough. The problem with hype is that it passes, quite often without leaving a trace. This hype has to be translated into real behaviour. Save energy, look for opportunities for renewables, and install sustainable energy at mainstream levels. Let’s proceed to the nuts and bolts.

You see, these are real, peaceful and sustainable Xmas wishes. It will us take some efforts to realise them, but I’m willing to play my part.

Rolf de Vos
Editor in chief
GreenPrices
r.devos@greenprices.com