Thirteen European environment ministers, dozens of business leaders urge EU to adopt 'ambitious' energy, climate goals for 2030, reform structure of EU's Emissions Trading System, offer strict emissions cut pledge at climate summit next fall

Cindy Allen

Cindy Allen

LONDON , October 28, 2013 () – Thirteen European environment ministers and dozens of business leaders urged the European Union on Monday to adopt "ambitious" energy and climate goals for 2030 to create a low-carbon economy in Europe to spur investment.

In a 40-page document released at a green growth conference in Brussels, they also said the 28-nation bloc should reform the structure of the EU's Emissions Trading System (ETS) and offer a strict emissions cut pledge at a climate summit next autumn.

Going against the tide of officials keen to blame green energy subsidies for higher energy bills, environment ministers from 13 EU countries and businesses including Coca Cola Enterprises and Shell called for action.

Notable exceptions included coal-dependent Poland which has battled against EU proposals to shift to a low-carbon economy, although two weeks ago, Warsaw said it would lead the call for nations to deepen emissions cuts when it hosts United Nations' climate talks next month.

"Businesses and investors are telling us that the EU needs to get its act together ... only then will investors have the confidence to put the billions into low carbon that we need," Edward Davey, Britain's energy and climate change secretary, said in a statement.

The EU has met a target to cut 1990-level greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020, as a result of lower energy demand following recession and a shift towards green power, such as solar and wind.

It is now debating a 2030 target and is expected to unveil proposals on the goal around the end of this year. EU sources have said the European Commission is looking at a 40 percent cut in domestic emissions versus 1990 levels by 2030.

Last week, Britain said the EU should cut emissions by 50 percent by 2030 to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

A decision on the EU's 2030 target will form the basis of the its potential emissions reduction offer as part of United Nations' climate negotiations on a global climate deal.

Governments are under pressure to offer large cuts by a September summit hosted by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

The European Commission is also considering ways to reform the structure of the ETS, its main tool to combat climate change.

EU carbon permit prices have lost around 75 percent of their value over the past five years due to the over-supply of permits and dampened demand due to recession.

The Commission is expected to publish structural reforms by the end of this year, but it has yet to confirm details.

Some observers have said the favored reform option would be to set up a mechanism to regulate the supply of EU carbon permits.

(Reporting by Nina Chestney, editing by Elizabeth Piper)

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.

Share:

About Us

We deliver market news & information relevant to your business.

We monitor all your market drivers.

We aggregate, curate, filter and map your specific needs.

We deliver the right information to the right person at the right time.

Our Contacts

1990 S Bundy Dr. Suite #380,
Los Angeles, CA 90025

+1 (310) 553 0008

About Cookies On This Site

We collect data, including through use of cookies and similar technology ("cookies") that enchance the online experience. By clicking "I agree", you agree to our cookies, agree to bound by our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. For more information on our data practices and how to exercise your privacy rights, please see our Privacy Policy.