'It's a great day', EU Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik told journalists immediately after the European Parliament approved amendments to the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) proposal that were drafted together with the Council.

Although the new text still requires formal approval by the Competitiveness Council, this is expected to be achieved without problems at its next meeting on 4 and 5 December. This will then enable the Commission to publish the first calls for proposals on 22 December as planned, and officially launch the biggest ever European research programme.

The Seventh Framework Programme will be fully operational as of 1 January and will expire in 2013.

An international group of scientists is reavealing how plants can provide alternative sources of raw materials for our future energy, fuel and everyday products. The FP6 EPOBIO project is releasing its first series of reports on the endless possibilities of plants.

EPOBIO Director Professor Dianna Bowles said “Two key threats to society are our dependence on finite fossil fuels and climate change. Plants have the potential to provide us with everything now made using petroleum. In this way, we can create a sustainable society for the future and address immediate concerns such as rising energy costs, security of supply and our impact on the environment.”

The reports issued today present detailed analyses of plant-based products in areas which offer the greatest benefit to society and could be achieved in as little as 10-15 years time. The project focuses on three ‘flagship’ areas - biopolymers, plant oils and the use of plant cell walls in biorefining.

Further information and reports can be found at www.epobio.net

The European Commission today adopted a Communication setting out its agenda for revising the EU emissions trading scheme (EU ETS) in the light of experience gained since it began operating in January 2005. The Commission wants to promote the environmental impact of emission trading by expanding it to new sectors and gases and further its global application as a key tool to combat climate change. The review will also seek to give greater predictability to investors and strengthen harmonisation by streamlining how it is applied in the various Member States. These and other issues will be discussed extensively with stakeholders before the Commission makes a legislative proposal to revise the Emissions Trading Directive (2003/87/EC) in the second half of 2007. The changes will take effect in 2013 at the start of the scheme’s third trading period. The EU ETS enables energy-intensive industry and power generators to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions cost effectively, and is stimulating emission-saving projects around the world.

The Communication (COM(2006) 676 – “Building a global carbon market”) sets out four broad categories of issues on which the review will focus:

• Scope of the scheme
• Further harmonisation and increased predictability
• Robust compliance and enforcement
• Involving third countries.