THE governments of two of Scotland’s nearest neighbours, Iceland and Nor way, have agreed to extend co-operation with the European Union to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Neither country is an EU member, but since 2008, Iceland and Norway have been participants in the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), which enables companies to purchase or trade emissions allowances.
Along with the EU, the two countries have pledged to co-ordinate the measures they take to reduce emissions from sectors which are not covered by the ETS, including agriculture, buildings and housing, transport; and waste management.
European Commission Vice-President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Federica Mogherini said: “The climate crisis knows no borders. That’s why we as the European Union, along with our closest partners, will continue to lead the global work to combat it.
“Only by working together can we live up to our responsibilities to promote peace and stability, protect our planet, and ensure that future generations do not pay the highest price.”
Iceland and Norway will work in tandem with the EU under the European Economic Area agreement to implement key legislation.
Effort Sharing Regulation will see Iceland and Norway jointly commit to setting and enforcing targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the sectors not covered by the EU Emissions Trading system between 2021 and 2030.
Regulation on land use, land-use change and forestry will see the two countries agree to ensure that any emissions produced in the course of those processes are balanced by carbon removal for the period spanning 2021 to 2030.
Miguel Arias Canete, the Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy said: “The EU, Iceland and Norway have again proven that cooperation across borders to combat climate change is not only necessary but also feasible.”
Irish Catholics ready for Brexit Christmas
WE know that Brexit is having an effect on many more countries than the UK, but in Ireland the possible shortages are even affecting the Catholic church.
Roman Catholics in the Republic of Ireland have been told that actions are being taken to ensure that the sacrament of Holy Communion will not be affected by Brexit.
READ MORE: Brexit to damage policing agreements across Irish border
In churches across Ireland, priests distribute Holy Communion in the shape of usually unleavened wafers and red wine as part of the celebration of the Eucharist during Holy Mass. The wafers are imported from Poland via the UK, and the 15% alcohol red wine comes from Spain, also via the UK.
In the event of a No-Deal Brexit, such imports would be badly affected and possibly delayed by up to a month.
The biggest suppliers to churches in Ireland are Desmond Wisley Ecclesiastical Supplies Ltd in Co Leitrim who have revealed that they are setting up a huge stockpile of both commodities so that there enough for Mass on Christmas Day right across the Republic.
Wisleys usually order six million wafer breads a month, but fears over Brexit have led them to double the order, while the monthly wine orders have risen from 280 cases to 560 cases.
Desmond Wisley told the Irish Mirror: “We’ve increased the orders, doubling up from now up through November and December so we will be well-stocked to cover it all, whatever happens with Brexit.
“It usually takes three to five days to get to Ireland but with a messy Brexit that could cause a hold-up and take three weeks.”
“We were panicking they might get stuck in the UK but now we have it all covered. So everyone will make it to Mass at Christmas.”
The newspaper helpfully added that there will be no shortage of Holy Water “as it’s only consecrated with a splash from a priest.”
Croatia in new Brexit pledge for presidency
EACH country in the European Union takes it in turn to have six months as presiding nation in the Council of the EU, referred to as the rotating presidency.
During this six month period, the presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU’s work in the Council.
The current EU presidency lies with Finland, but on January 1, Croatia will take over. The Balkan nation with a population of just over four million and which has only been in the EU since 2013 looks certain to have to deal with Brexit, the first time that any country has left the EU.
The Croatian Government will have an agenda for its presidency and issued a defiant note yesterday saying that Brexit would not be allowed to affect that agenda.
On Monday, the ambassadors of the 27 other EU member states agreed to a Brexit extension to January 31 2020, with the option for the UK to leave earlier if a deal is ratified, clearing the way for opposition parties to back a General Election as they did last night.
At a press conference in Brussels after EU Council President Donald Tusk announced the Brexit extension, the Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić-Radman said that the extension changed nothing in Croatia’s agenda.
He said that during its chairmanship, Croatia “will deal with European affairs and follow the political developments in the UK.”
He added that “entry into the EU is not easy, and the departure is even more difficult”, which was why “Croatian citizens should appreciate the EU membership more.”
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