Tag: emissions cuts

A European Union proposal to raise the bloc's target for cutting CO2 emissions would have only a limited impact on global warming as any benefit would be easily offset by China's growing emissions, the International Energy Agency's chief economist has said.

Environment ministers yesterday (14 October) postponed a decision on whether the EU should raise its 2020 emissions reduction target, in a debate that brought to the surface a division between businesses.

A large fall in greenhouse gas emissions brought about by a reduction of industrial activity led by the economic crisis has put the EU on a fast track to meet its Kyoto commitments, but Austria, Denmark and Italy are falling behind, according to new figures.

Countries' pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions offer virtually no chance of halting global warming before it reaches dangerous levels, researchers said as negotiators gather in Bonn to continue climate talks next week. 

The EU could cut emissions by 30% by 2020 without incurring any additional costs, according to Niklas Höhne, director of energy and climate policy at renewable energy consultancy Ecofys. But the switch to a higher target needs to be balanced across sectors, he told EurActiv in an interview.

The majority of EU environment ministers lent their support on Friday (11 June) for deeper CO2 cuts later this year, with several, including France's Jean-Louis Borloo, speaking strongly in favour. Italy's minister, however, said the move was not backed by Rome.

EU Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard yesterday (26 May) presented a paper making the case for moving towards a unilateral 30% cut in EU greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. But she failed to stand behind it, bowing to pressure from France and Germany.

Despite a strong push to ramp up the production of electric cars around the world, experts warn that their roll-out needs to be carefully planned before investors open their wallets.

The EU needs to up its emission reduction target if it is to create green jobs, especially now that the economic crisis has brought the bloc's current goals within easy reach, Green MEPs warned yesterday (15 March).