The European Commission unveiled a long-awaited proposal for 2030 climate targets today (22 January), confirming plans not to renew the current 20-20-20 strategy for the following decade.
In 2008 Jose Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, and EU leaders set three targets for 2020: a 20% reduction in emissions based on 1990 levels, a 20% share of renewable energy and a 20% increase in energy efficiency. The first two were binding, while the third was an indicative goal.
Today’s communication proposes a binding target for reducing emissions by 40% from 1990 levels.This is in line with the Commission’s long-term plan to reduce EU emissions by 80% by 2050. The target can only be met domestically, unlike the 2020 target in whcih member states can meet their obligations by funding international projects in the developing world.
Renewable energy
But where ambition has been scaled back is the Commission’s retreat from the idea that the renewable energy target should be binding on member states. The 2030 target – “up to” a 27% share of renewable energy in the total energy mix – would only be ‘binding’ at EU level and would not be broken down into national obligations. Without individual obligations on member states it isn’t really binding, say critics.
But Gunther Oettinger, European commissioner for energy, said today that having a binding target at EU level will mean “this commission and future commissions are committed to that objective.”
A further renewable energy target has been opposed by several member states including the UK. Following today’s announcement, UK climate and energy minister Ed Davey said he is still concerned about the prospect of an EU-level renewable target, and would prefer to see a technology-neutral approach.
The communication also calls for an end, from 2020, of the 6% greenhouse gas reduction target for transport fuels, as part of the Fuel Quality Directive. This has angered advocates of renewable fuels, but may please campaigners who are concerned that the directive is increasing food prices and causing land use change from increased growth of biofuel crops.
Energy efficiency
The energy efficiency target was not extended in today’s communication. Barroso said a review of the 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive needs to be conducted this summer before a decision can be made. The comunication notes that the Commission’s impact assessment suggests a 25% increase in efficiency by 2030.
But observers say there is little prospect of a new target being adopted. The EU is unlikely to meet its 2020 target after member states watered down the energy efficiency directive meant to get it therem so a further target would be a stretch.
Seperately, the Commission also today proposed long-term structural reform of the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), a system that has been plagued with problems over recent years.
Reaction
The Commission hopes to see the 40% target endorsed by member state leaders at the European Council in June. This would enable the EU to arrive at September’s UN leaders summit with this commitment on the table, which the Commission hopes will spur other developed countries to act. But campaigners, who do not view 40% as ambitious, say that this number is going to be seen as the ‘gold standard’ globally because the EU is viewed as the first mover on climate change. Other countries, they say, will now feel free to adopt targets of 30% and 20%, which they regard as inadequate.
Climate campaigners complained that 40% is not an adequete goal. “What the Commission is proposing today would bring EU policies on climate change and renewable energy to a virtual standstill,” said Dutch Green MEP Bas Eickhout. “With president Barroso at the wheel, this would amount to the jackknifing of existing EU climate policy and the all-clear for the fossil fuel juggernaut. We will push to ensure a majority of EU governments and the European Parliament rejects this Conservative volte-face.”
But the Commission has been insistent that they have to focus on what’s achievable. 40% may be much lower than scientists say is necessary to avoid harmful global warming, but even this target will be difficult to achieve politically. Inside the Commission, the energy and industry departments were pushing for a 35% target. Poland is expected to oppose the target, though an accompanying decision to back off from shale gas legislation may soften their stance.
Among other member states, the reaction has been positive. 40% is an acceptable figure for most EU countries. All eyes are now on Poland to see if it can be persuaded to support this goal, since any member state has the ability to veto it. Even if member states endorse the plan in March, the new European Commission will then have to codify it into a legislative proposal in 2015.
“It’s not such a big political art just to propose something” said Connie Hedegaard, European commissioner for climate action. “The art of politics is to propose something that you can actually get through. For those of us who think it is key in Europe to continue with a stronger emphasis on renew, it’s important to think about how can we make a more flexibile system. If we did not do that, this proposal would be dead today politically speaking.”
Large parts of industry are expected to resist the 40% target, a stance expressed by Brussels-based business association BusinessEurope. But Eurelectic, the industry assocaition representing the electricity industry, today welcomed the 40% proposal.
Rushed process
The importance that Barroso has attached to getting out this final piece of climate legislation before the end of his mandate is reflected in the way it was rushed through interservice consultation between Commission departments. Catherine Day, secretary general, took control of the file and the main discussions were conducted by a sub-set of only nine Commissioners with climate- and energy-related portfolios. The remaining 19 Commissioners were not formally consulted until today’s college meeting. This has caused rumblings of discontent within the Commission.
But as Barroso eyes his climate legacy, campaigners worry that a hasty early decision on 2030 targets may mean the EU loses its position as a leader in fighting climate change in the long-term. But if the EU endorses the 2030 target before the end of the year, it will be the only global power to have done so.