EU Climate Policy

13. Feb. 2013

The EU can and must be a climate leader

EU leaders have agreed to a binding target of a 20% reduction of carbon emissions levels by 2020 compared to 1990 levels. The EU is already on its way to achieving its climate target. The Greens/EFA group thus pushes the EU to increase its own domestic climate ambition and set itself a binding target of at least 30% by 2020. Such a decision would foster the green economy, incite investment in renewable energy sources and create green jobs. By raising its emissions target the EU would also strongly encourage the rest of the world to take further climate action and give some momentum to international climate discussions.

Introduction

EU CLIMATE POLICY

05. Dec. 2012 blog

So much hot air about hot air

The `hot air` issue has been under discussion for several years but yet the EU is still uncapable of agreeing on cancelling those surplus emission permits. The Greens/EFA urge EU members states to do this quickly in order for the EU to be able to play a leading role at the COP18 and ensure that this internal split does not derail what is currently the world`s most important discussion.  

03. Dec. 2012 blog

Let’s be consistent, let’s end fossil fuels subsidies!

A recent analysis made by Oil change International revealed that rich countries spend five times more on fossil-fuel subsidies than on aid to help developing nations cut their emissions and protect against the effects of climate change...  

14. Nov. 2012 blog

Bas Eickhout MEP: Postponing the auctioning of 900 million permits is clearly not sufficient to fix the ETS...

Bas Eickhout MEP, Green climate expert and EP draftsperson on the EU’s emissions targets, explains why the Commission`s decision to postpone the auctioning of 900 million permits is not enough to fix the European Emissions Trading System and why it is urgent to act if Europe wants to be able to fix its carbon market  

30. May. 2012 blog

Climate: Politics begin at home

The Environment Committee this morning voted in favour of strenghtening the Commission`s proposal on monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions. The legislation aims to increase transparency and reliability of data, which in turn should aid implementation of existing rules and development of new policies.