European Commission calls for a 'new industrial revolution' to meet climate targets
Sun 21 January 2007
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The European Commission has launched a major package of climate policy proposals in January, calling in an accompanying statement for a "new industrial revolution" aimed at developing a low carbon economy.
The Commission called for Europe to cut greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2020, rising to 30% if agreement can be reached that other industrialised countries will do the same.
ENDS reported that the Commission promises a strategic energy technology action plan to accelerate innovation. And it unveiled a big shake-up of EU electricity and gas markets.
The Commission says that the EU should show international leadership in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and limit the Union's dependence on fossil fuel supplied from outside the EU area. It says there is a need to create a true internal energy market in which investment and renewables are encouraged.
In response to the Commission's announcements, environment groups criticised the proposed 20 per cent carbon reduction targets, saying they are "largely insufficient" and calling for a unilateral 30 per cent target.
The UK Government welcomed the plan, which it called "groundbreaking and farsighted".
Industry groups expressed concerns about the risk to the competitiveness of EU businesses if the EU commits to further reduce greenhouse gases ahead of other major emitting countries.
Renewable and 'green' energy producers were strongly critical of the Commission’s move away from sectoral renewables targets which they say could undermine existing successful legislation and create a legislative vacuum and investor uncertainty.
Related Documents
European Commission - climate policy download section
ENDS news link
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