By Martin Banks - 2nd December 2010
2050 is a powerfully symbolic date in climate and energy policy
Tony Long
A major new report says that member states must "treble their efforts" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The WWF report, presented in parliament on Thursday, comes as the UN climate change conference in Cancún, Mexico nears the end of its first week.
There are hopes that the conference will agree on legally binding targets for reducing CO2 emissions.
The 155-page report, called "climate policy tracker," says that on average member states must substantially increase their greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
In its study, WWF rated each member state on 83 indicators that, it says, measure the effectiveness of CO2 reduction policies for all sectors of the economy.
It concludes, "Only a third of the necessary action has currently been taken to put countries on a path towards a low carbon economy.
"The countries rated best - including the UK and Ireland - currently score only half of what is needed, a 'D' rating.
"It would therefore not be appropriate to call them leaders as they still need to double their policy efforts to get them on track to a low carbon economy."
The report, which gives a country-by-country analysis of current climate change policy, was presented during a debate on the policies considered necessary to achieve a low-carbon economy by 2050.
It says the UK and Ireland score highly for "integrated, long-term climate strategy" but that, with the exception of Sweden, climate policy in the industry sector is "generally insufficient."
WWF director Tony Long said,"2050 is a powerfully symbolic date in climate and energy policy.
"It is the date when wealthy regions of the world, including Europe, will need to achieve near total decarbonisation of their economies if we are to avoid runaway climate change."
Meanwhile, Brussels-capital environment minister Evelyne Huytebroeck has urged the EU to adopt a "genuine" seventh environmental action programme (EAP).
Her comments, at a separate event, come after the commission said it wants to wait for an assessment of the sixth EAP, which ends in 2012, before making a decision for a new programme.
Huytebroeck, speaking on behalf of Belgium's EU council presidency at a debate on future environmental policy, told this website, "I realise this issue is the subject of serious controversy but a specific environmental programme is required."
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