UK welcomes EU climate change proposals
The UK today welcomed the European Commission’s ambitious proposals for tackling climate change and delivering a low carbon economy in Europe.
The package contains proposals to implement the decisions agreed by EU Heads of State and Government at the 2007 Spring European Council. For the UK, the Commission’s proposals include:
- A reduction of 16 per cent in UK greenhouse gas emissions from sectors not covered by the EU ETS by 2020 from 2005 levels;
- For 15 per cent of the energy consumed in the UK to come from renewable sources by 2020;
- For 10 per cent of road transport fuels to come from renewable sources, subject to them being produced in a sustainable way.
The proposals put the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) at the heart of EU climate policy, including establishing an EU-wide central cap on emissions covered by the EU ETS to 2020 and beyond.
Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn said that the proposals sent a clear signal to the world that Europe was taking decisive action to fight climate change:
“This plan shows exactly what we are aiming for globally – a comprehensive and effective agreement to tackle climate change, with the carbon market at its heart. With a global deal, the EU will up its commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 30 per cent by 2020.
“Setting a clear long-term downward trajectory for the emissions cap for the EU ETS gives businesses and the market the certainty they’ve been looking for.
“I support the clear message from the Commission that there should be much more auctioning in the EU ETS. We would like to see increasing minimum levels of auctioning that allow Member States to set higher levels unilaterally. We will consult on this and the rest of the detail of the EU ETS review in the spring.”
“More work must be done in a number of areas, including looking closely at the proposed UK contribution from the whole economy, rather than just the non-traded sector. The UK is determined to play its part in full, but we should ensure that there is collective effort from all Member States to play their part in meeting the EU target.”
The UK is committed to meeting its fair share of the overall EU renewable energy target and the Government is already working with the water industry to help reduce its carbon footprint. Agreement was reached last week on a target of at least 20% renewable energy use by the sector by 2020.
Defra will outline more on how the water industry’s carbon footprint can be reduced in its Water Strategy, which will be published shortly, and is a response to the pressures that climate change will bring for the water environment.
In the summer, the Department for Business and Enterprise will launch a consultation on what more needs to be done to meet the UK’s agreed share of the renewables target. Stakeholders can register their interest on the BERR website to be involved in the consultation on the new renewable energy strategy.
We will also consult stakeholders specifically on the EU Renewables Directive.
Further information
Page published: 23 January 2008