By Martin Banks - 26th May 2010
The commission has now provided input for a fact-based discussion
Connie Hedegaard
The European commission has left the door firmly open to a higher-than-planned reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
The EU is already committed to reducing CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2020 compared with 1990 levels – and by 30 per cent if other large polluting countries such as the US and China agree to do the same.
On Wednesday, the commission formally launched a feasibility study on adopting the higher target unilaterally.
Announcing the move, Connie Hedegaard, European climate action commissioner, said, "Whether to increase our reduction target for 2020 from 20 to 30 per cent is a political decision for the EU leaders to take when the timing and the conditions are right.
"Obviously, the immediate political priority is to handle the crisis.
"But as we exit the crisis, the commission has now provided input for a fact-based discussion. The decision is not for now, but I hope that our analysis will inspire the debate in the member states on the way forward."
The commission estimates that achieving the EU’s current 20 per cent emissions target for 2020 is at least one third cheaper (€22 billion) than calculated in 2008. According to the commission, increasing the target to 30 per cent could actually save up to €40 billion in fossil fuel imports alone and create hundreds of thousands of green jobs.
Reaction was swift, and mixed, with opponents saying that committing member states to the higher target without a matching pledge from other major polluters will put pressure on European industry.
But Green MEP Satu Hassi said it was good news, saying, "This communication makes a welcome and timely contribution to the debate on strengthening the EU's emissions reduction target. The commission has put forward a clear and reasoned argument for stepping up to a 30 per cent reduction target, outlining the clear economic benefits this will bring."
Dutch Green MEP Bas Eickhout agreed, saying, “Strong climate policies are good for the economy and will help create jobs in Europe. We welcome that the commission has clearly set out the role of stronger climate policies in stimulating green innovation and jobs.
"The report acknowledges both how it is much cheaper for the EU to deliver a 30 per cent reduction now than was previously thought and the benefits this will bring for the European economy."
In a statement, German Socialist deputy Jo Leinen, who was head of the European parliament's delegation at the failed UN Copenhagen summit, said, "Parliament has already recognised that a unilateral move to a 30 per cent commitment is more affordable than before and as necessary as ever. I welcome that the commission is delivering its analysis on a 30 per cent reduction target. Now we need a firm proposal towards taking this step."
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Party of European Socialists (PES) president, said, "Moving on with the fight against climate change should not hit the most disadvantaged people in Europe.
"Rising energy prices, restructuring pressures and the risk of subsequent unemployment are likely to affect the poorest the hardest. The fight against climate change will only be considered a success, if the entire society benefits from it.”
The former Danish PM added, "PES supports the pledge to step up ambitions in emission reductions. In 2020, the EU should emit at least 30 per cent less emissions than 1990.
"The communication on the options to move beyond 20 per cent proves that such an objective is possible and desirable. Unfortunately, the communication fails to address concrete measures to avoid a negative impact on large groups in society.
"If we do not ensure a just transition process towards a carbon-free economy, the fight against climate change will be lost."
Further comment came from Greenpeace EU climate and energy policy director Joris den Blanken, who said, "Some industry lobbyists claim that ambitious climate targets will lead to cuts in jobs and production, but the commission paper shows that the opposite is true. With a stronger climate target, companies would stop profiting from pollution and start gaining from green growth.”
The comments were echoed by Jason Anderson, head of EU climate and energy policy at WWF European Policy Office, who said, "Its time for the facts about the benefits of a green economy to overcome the fear-mongering of special interests.
"WWF now calls on member states to support the commission's communication and analysis. We are expecting next month's summit to call for the policy changes needed to make the increased target a reality."
David Heller, climate justice and energy campaigner with Friends of the Earth Europe, was more critical. He said, "Connie Hedegaard has taken a cautious first step, but has fallen short of a clear call to increase EU emission cuts by 2020. If a 30 per cent target is agreed we’ll be closer to the crucial 40 per cent figure that should give us a better chance of keeping global warming below 2 degrees. A 40 per cent reduction is not only possible, but affordable and necessary.
"The EU governments must stand up to vested interests and make a clear call for an increase in EU targets. In particular, cuts must be made domestically, rather than through offsetting schemes such as the Clean Development Mechanism, which do nothing to reduce emissions or create jobs within Europe.”
More reaction came from European Wind Energy Associaton CEO Christian Kjaer who said, "The move to 30 per cent would give a very strong signal to investors that Europe means business when it talks about green growth and a sustainable economy.
"The offer to go to 30 per cent did not work in the Copenhagen climate summit but it would work in keeping the EU at the forefront of the green technology race. Europe is a world leader in wind energy but faces serious competition from China, the US, Japan, South Korea and India. I would hate to see Europe losing out because it was lulled into a false sense of security due to the failure of the climate negotiations.”
However, the business lobby group Eurochambres was less enthusiastic, saying it was "alarmed" by the possibility of moving beyond 20 per cent, warning of the "negative impact on both European competitiveness and international climate change negotiations."
Arnaldo Abruzzini, its general secretary, said, “The commission argues that the cost of cutting CO2 emissions by 20 per cent has decreased because of the economic crisis. Alarmingly, they seem not to realise that the recession has in fact created obstacles for businesses planning to invest to reduce their emissions in the long term.
"One might interpret from this that the comission’s emissions reduction strategy is now based on lower European production, which is clearly contradictory to our growth and jobs ambitions."
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