09 Mar 2007 - Brussels,
Belgium – Commitment by European leaders
to scale up efforts to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions by up to 30 per cent by 2020
sets the right path to control climate change
at the global level. But appropriate laws
and measures are needed to be put into place
so that the goal does not remain hot air.
The leaders agreed to a greenhouse gas
reduction in Europe of 20 per cent by 2020,
and 30 per cent if other industrialized
countries will take action.
Despite resistance from countries such
as France and Poland, the European Council
also decided on legally binding energy consumption
targets in which 20 per cent will come from
renewable sources and 10 per cent from environmentally
certified biofuels by 2020.
“It is clear that the targets decided today
will only be achieved with solid laws, measures
and incentives,” says Stephan Singer, Head
of European Climate and Energy Unit at WWF.
“The targets must be translated into a
shift of investments towards green technologies,
rather than to nuclear power stations.”
According to WWF, the general objective
for renewable energy needs to be broken
down by sector — transport, buildings and
electricity — with laws in support of specific
binding targets for each sector. At the
same time, coal power stations must be required
to fit carbon capture and storage technology.
In addition, a key element for a strong
climate and energy policy in the EU will
be for a major push towards energy efficiency
in the residential, industrial, commercial,
transport and power generation sectors.
Although the council conclusions are very
weak on this point, energy efficiency is
still the easiest, fastest and cheapest
way to reduce energy consumption and related
climate pollution, according to WWF.
“There are only 13 years for the EU to
accomplish the mission defined today,"
added Singer. "These years are key
to help saving the planet from the dangerous
consequences of climate change.”
Dr Stephan Singer, Head
WWF European Climate and Energy Unit
Claudia Delpero, Communications Manager
WWF European Policy Office
