Join, Adopt or Donate
Home » What we do » Tackling climate change » Our global climate work » 10 reasons for EU to be more ambitious on climate

10 reasons for EU to be more ambitious on climate

London buildings at night

Across Europe, an ever increasing number of politicians, businesses, scientists and organisations like WWF are calling for a higher carbon reduction target for the European Union. We have at least ten good reasons why this should happen…

First the background: in 2008 the EU agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, promising to increase it to 30% if other countries agreed that as part of a global climate deal.

As we know, the global deal still hasn’t materialised. But we believe we shouldn’t wait and it’s in Europe’s self-interest to push ahead on its own for at least a 30% reduction target.

Here are our 10 reasons why:

1. The science says so. Climate science shows that to avoid more than 2°C of warming, industrialised countries need to cut emissions by 25-40% by 2020. Taking into account latest scientific findings, and aiming for a reasonable chance of avoiding dangerous climate change, Europe’s fair share should actually be 40% by 2020. We’d see 30% as a minimum cut for emissions within Europe’s borders (ie not including overseas offsets).

2. We’re already well on the way. The EU’s carbon emissions have already reduced by 17% below 1990 levels. Because of the recession, achieving 30% reductions by 2020 will now cost about the same as the original estimates for hitting the 20% target.

3. It keeps us competitive. Economically, Europe needs to maintain its competitiveness in a future low-carbon economy. Both China and India are already increasing investment in clean technology, and the EU needs a strong climate target to boost innovation and competitiveness in this global market.

4. It’ll increase employment. Increasing the target from 20% to 30% could create up to 6 million additional low-carbon jobs Europe-wide.

5. Good for the economy. Upping the target could also increase European GDP by up to $842 billion by 2020.

6. Saving money on fuel imports. Because we’ll be using less oil and gas, we could save €45.5 billion on avoided imports in 2020. If oil prices rise further than expected, this saving will be even higher.

7. Avoids risky carbon investments. A clear target will steer investments away from high-carbon infrastructure, avoiding ‘lock-in’ to higher emissions in future, and lessening the risk of ‘stranded assets’.

8. More energy security. A higher target would increase Europe’s energy security, as we increase energy efficiency and the use of local, renewable energy sources, rather than relying on imported fuels.

9. Clear health benefits. It’s estimated we could save around €30.5 billion a year by 2020 in health costs if emissions reduce by 30%, due to fewer air pollutants. And that’s not taking into account the health benefits of avoiding higher climate change impacts.

10. To send a signal to the world. Increasing to the 30% target now would send a clear global message that Europe is leading when it comes to climate policy, and recognises that reducing emissions is in its own interest as well as in the interest of the planet. This could go a long way to restoring momentum to the UN climate talks.

We feel things could be moving in the right direction. In March 2011, Chris Huhne was joined by the environment ministers of Denmark, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Sweden in calling for Europe to set a target to reduce emissions by 30% below 1990 levels by 2020. In June 2011, nearly 70 major European companies added their names to this call.

You can…

See the list of major European companies that are calling for a higher EU climate target

Find out more - read Straight Answers to Tough Questions on the EU’s 2020 climate target