20 Feb 2007 - Brussels, Belgium – As part of a European energy policy to combat climate change, EU environment ministers have agreed on continent-wide plans to cut greenhouse gases by as much as 30 per cent.

Despite attempts to water down proposals — particularly by Finland and Poland — the EU Environment Council has backed a unilateral target to cut carbon emissions by 2020 to 20 per cent, and supported a 30 per cent reduction target if other nations would make efforts to control global warming.

In order to stay below an internationally accepted 2°C global warming threshold — and an objective stated by European governments — an overall greenhouse gas reduction of approximately 30 per cent by 2020, and 80 per cent by mid-century compared to 11000 levels, is needed in all developed nations.

“Today’s decision confirms the EU preparedness to fulfil its international commitments,” says Stephan Singer, Head of WWF’s European Climate and Energy Unit.

“However, to build a house with solid foundations, the EU should immediately put in place concrete measures to achieve such targets and have a strategy to both mobilise resources and engage other countries for the period after 2012.”

The next step is for EU heads of state to endorse the proposed targets at the next European Council meeting, scheduled to take place from 8 to 9 March.
Dr Stephan Singer, Head of European Climate and Energy Unit
WWF European Policy Office
Claudia Delpero, Communications Manager
WWF European Policy Office

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Make love, not CO2!

14 Feb 2007 - Brussels, Belgium – It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air, along with lots of carbon dioxide.

WWF is calling on European energy ministers to “make love, not CO2” on February 15 by either voting for deep cuts in carbon emissions or staying in bed for a nice cuddle.

EU energy ministers meeting in Brussels on February 15 have an incredible opportunity to leave a little love-note for the planet. Making sure that 20 to 25 per cent of energy in the EU comes from renewable sources by 2020, rather than caving-in to passionless old-fashioned energy policies, they can make sure that in the future temperatures will rise only in appropriate circumstances.

WWF suggests that any minister planning to vote for anything less than this target should extend their Valentine’s night festivities and stay in bed smooching — leaving the ministers who have enough foresight to protect both Europe and the planet to ensure that the right decision is reached by the Council.

Stephan Singer, Head of WWF's European Climate and Energy Unit, said: “It’s really quite wonderful that these politicians could change the world by staying in bed and making love. It’s like John Lennon and Yoko Ono all over again. The EU’s largest countries – Germany, UK, France and Italy – have already said that they want a 20 to 30 per cent cut in emissions. This should translate in strong legislation with mandatory targets on renewables. Hopefully, any minister planning to vote for less will be tucked up in bed rather than at the Council meeting.”
Dr. Stephan Singer, Head
WWF European Climate and Energy Unit
Claudia Delpero, Communications Manager, WWF European Policy Office,

Translating positive words into positive action to reduce global warming

16 Feb 2007 - Gland, Switzerland – The announcement by legislators from the top polluting countries in the world that negotiations for the next round of emission cuts should end no later than 2009 is a positive development in the battle to slow global warming, says WWF.

"The conclusions of the meeting may be voluntary and not legally binding but they are still important in building confidence between the industrialised and the biggest developing economies," says Hans Verolme, Director of WWF's Global Climate Change Programme.

"It is also an indication that the US is readying itself to take its historical responsibility as seriously as Europe and Japan are already doing."

The global conservation organization welcomed the meeting of G8 legislators along with parliamentarians from the five biggest developing economies (Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa) as it showed clear support from developing states for making a real contribution to the climate talks by voluntary actions that reduce dependence on imported energy and polluton for their own countries.

The meeting, convened in Washington DC by US Senators John McCain and Joseph Lieberman, sets the scene for legally binding negotiations in December this year in Bali, Indonesia, under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol.

The negotiations in Bali will determine how 190 countries can reach a global deal to limit CO2 emissions further, after the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol expires by end 2012.

WWF wants the positive statements made at the Washington meeting to translate into action.
The EU should decide at its spring Council meeting (8–9 March 2007) to set a target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2020.

G8 heads of state should publicly support a mandate for all 190 UN countries to negotiate similarly deep emission cuts for all industrialised countries. They also should agree on massive financial and clean technology support for developing countries.
Brian Thomson, Press Officer
WWF International
Martin Hiller, Communications Manager
WWF Global Climate Change Programme

A slow growth of renewables in EU energy policy

15 Feb 2007 - Brussels, Belgium - European Energy Ministers gathering today at the EU Energy Council made a positive move by agreeing that 20 per cent of energy used in Europe should come from renewable sources and 10 per cent of transport fuel from biofuels by 2020.

However, such objectives should be translated into mandatory targets per different sectors (including electricity) rather than being left to the goodwill of EU Member States.

“Only four months ago it seemed impossible to have this goal written in black and white. It is now essential that these objectives become legally binding”, says Stephan Singer, Head of European Climate and Energy Unit at WWF.

“Voluntary targets are bound to fail. We urge European Heads of State and Government, meeting at the European Council in March, to take advantage of this momentum and set clear, binding targets”.

Other improvements to the so-called “EU energy package” are still needed to make sure that Europe really moves towards a low carbon future. A stringent target (30 per cent) for greenhouse gas reduction by 2020 is essential for concrete actions and laws to lead the EU towards a sustainable energy path and contribute to fighting climate change.

Also, the full unbundling of energy grid ownership, coupled with the liberalisation of the energy markets are key to allow energy from renewable sources to enter the markets.

The climate part of the “EU energy package” will be examined on 20 February by the EU Environment Council. Subsequently, on 8-9 March, European Heads of State and Government meeting at the European Council will make the final decision.

"It is essential that a sound Energy Policy for Europe emerges from that meeting for European international credibility and the future of next generations", adds Stephan Singer.
Dr. Stephan Singer, Head of European Climate and Energy Unit at WWF,
Claudia Delpero, Communications Manager, WWF European Policy Office,