Global Offset Experts: EU could cut emissions by 25% from 2020.

Feb. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- The European Commission, the EU regulator, in a recent draft policy document, stopped short of proposing a binding 2020 target for cutting CO2 emissions more than the current goal of 20% below 1990 levels, Global Offset Experts was informed, although it did say that the 27-country union could exceed 20% as long as it saves more energy, lowers emissions from transport and increases investment into low–carbon infrastructure.

The paper, scheduled to be published in early March and presented to national heads, is a political compromise, as member nations remain split on raising emission targets. Western nations such as France, Germany and the United Kingdom are in favor of more ambitious cuts while eastern countries seem in favor of a more conservative approach. The EU, which is poised to meet its target, intends cutting domestic emissions by a minimum of 80% as of 2050.

“The analysis shows that the cost-efficient pathway to the necessary reduction in 2050 requires a 25 percent domestic reduction in 2020,” Global Offset Expert understands the draft paper says. “It also shows, however, that the EU can produce this reduction if it delivers on its existing commitment to increase energy efficiency by 20 percent by 2020.”


In order to achieve the emission goals, the EU member nations have agreed to binding targets for the share of renewable sources used in Europe, and have also adopted a political commitment to boost energy efficiency after falling behind on that commitment.
Emissions for the bloc were estimated to be around 16% below 1990 in 2009, and the draft paper said the union is poised to achieve 30% domestic reductions in 2030 if the existing cap-and-trade policy is wholly implemented and member nations meet their targets.

The cap-and-trade legislation, known as the ETS, sets limits for more than 11,000 utilities and manufacturing firms, which gradually diminish by 2020 to 21% under 2005 levels.

Global Offset Experts research shows that in 2010 the EU regulator said that a 30% target was “technically feasible” and “economically affordable.”

“The 30 percent target is still on the table,”  Isaac Valero-Ladron, an EU climate spokesperson told Global Offset Experts. “The roadmap will not set any new targets. It’s a modeling exercise that will show where Europe can be in 20 or 30 years if we want to achieve our 2050 climate goals.”

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