EU:The "travelling circus" of MEPs and EU officials commuting between the parliament seats in Brussels and Strasbourg once a month generates 20,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.
It also costs EU taxpayers about €203 million a year, or 16 per cent of the running costs of the European Parliament, according to a report published today.
The report found that the carbon footprint caused by the monthly commute is equivalent to 13,000 return flights from London to New York or the amount of CO2 generated by 4,000 homes in London.
It also highlights the huge amount of extra greenhouse gas emissions generated through the upkeep of two parliament buildings, one of which stands largely empty for 307 days a year.
The report, which was commissioned by two Green MEPs and researched by Prof John Whitelegg of the Stockholm Environment Institute, recommends the end of the monthly commute between Brussels and Strasbourg. It is likely to heap further pressure on governments, which have put climate change at the top of the EU agenda, but which have so far refused to debate the dual seats of the parliament.
Under a deal agreed between EU leaders in December 1992, MEPs must travel from a base in Brussels to Strasbourg for four-day plenary sessions at least 12 times a year. The agreement was a concession to France, which wanted to house an EU institution. It has since become a major headache for EU officials, MEPs, lobbyists and journalists, who must change location once a month and bring with them thousands of reports.
The study highlights that once a month about 12 trucks transport the equipment and documents necessary for the plenary sessions in Strasbourg. Almost 3,000 people make the monthly commute, nicknamed the "travelling circus" by MEPs.
Green MEPs Caroline Lucas and Jean Lambert, who commissioned the report, are expected to demand the end of the two-seat parliament at a press conference today. They will criticise the double standards of EU leaders, who recently agreed a landmark climate change package to cut CO2 emissions, but who have steered clear of engaging on the debate over the fate of Strasbourg for fear of offending Paris.
Only a unanimous decision by EU leaders can remove Strasbourg's seat.
Meanwhile, environment commissioner Stavros Dimas is set to receive a hybrid Toyota Prius car tomorrow as part of a drive to cut his own carbon footprint. His choice of car has proven controversial, with claims from the German car lobby that he is undermining the European motor industry.
BMW is also in talks with the EU about providing several of its hydrogen-powered vehicles to commissioners.