Yes it's July and we have attended our final sitting in the French city of Strasbourg. The fact that this was the 12th sitting of the year can only mean one thing-no not scorching summer temperatures and 99 ice-creams- but yet another debate on the wastefulness of having two seats.
In an attempt to highlight the enormous carbon footprint of the 2nd seat of the European Parliament, and to practice my Jeremy Clarkson impression, I travelled to from Brussels to Strasbourg this week in a new Hybrid car.
I hoped to demonstrate the individual responsibility we all have in reducing carbon emissions. While the development of new technologies, like hybrid cars, are a step in the right direction towards giving consumers a greener alternative, surely policy makers should be leading by example.
The EU is driving all of its policy towards combating climate change and yet in typical inconsistent form does nothing to stop one of its institutions needlessly emitting an extra 20,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.
The German Presidency is over, but their agenda remains as the new "Portuguese" presidency continues with Merkel's Treaty obsession and push towards greater European cooperation.
Announcing his mandate this week Socrates, the Portuguese Prime Minister, spoke of their 3 priorities for the next 6 months. Establishing a new reform treaty in October (a little bit optimistic even by German standards), economic and social modernisation, and a stronger role for Europe in the world. To be honest a lot of these objectives are never fully realised within such a limited timeframe. However I did feel some encouragement as they recognised the importance of keeping Europe at the fore-front of global environmental policy - an area which can only benefit from a common approach.
Who knows what the next six months will hold but with major pieces of environmental legislation and the treaty debate still raging on it is sure to be interesting.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a lovely summer and I'll see you next year.
