EU reaches deal on 20% emissions cuts

EU environment ministers have agreed [*.pdf or other languages] in principle to cut greenhouse emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by 2020. The ministers, meeting at the Environment Council in Brussels, also agreed to seek a 30% cut worldwide if matched by other developed nations.

The proposals, contained the European Commission's new policy for a low carbon energy future (earlier post), are seen as a key measure to curb climate change.

The Council adopted an important set of conclusions that underline the urgent need for a global and comprehensive agreement to reduce worldwide greenhouse gas emissions after 2012, when the Kyoto Protocol's emission targets expire, with the aim of limiting global warming to no more than 2°C above the pre-industrial level. Negotiations to develop this agreement need to be launched at the annual UN climate conference at the end of this year and completed by 2009.

The conclusions set out the key elements the EU considers the new agreement should contain. In particular, developed countries should continue to take the lead by committing to reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases in the order of 30% by 2020 compared with 1990 levels, with a view to a collective cut of 60-80% from 1990 levels by 2050. Until a global agreement is concluded, and without prejudice to its position in the negotiations, the EU makes a firm independent commitment to reduce its emissions to at least 20% below 1990 levels by 2020:
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The conclusions also note the need for developing countries to reduce the emission intensity of their economic development, given their increasing share of global emissions, and emphasise the need for a global agreement to include concrete policies and actions to halt and reverse deforestation within two to three decades.

Commissioner Dimas said: "The Council's position is an affirmation of the EU's leadership and determination to prevent climate change from reaching dangerous levels. But we can only succeed if the international community moves urgently to strike a comprehensive agreement to reduce global emissions after 2012. The EU has demonstrated its seriousness by committing to an emissions cut of at least 20% even before negotiations start. We now look to other developed countries to show responsibility and follow our example."

Commissioner Dimas also welcomed the Council's useful debates on including aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and reducing CO2 emissions from new cars.

Picture: Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. Credit: The Council of the European Union.