Energy Saving News
EU Agree To Aim For 30% CO2 Cut By End Of 2010
A climate change policy officer, at the European Commission, last week announced that the European Union will hopefully be able to succeed in its commitment to reach a 30% reduction of carbon emissions (presently sitting at 20%) by the next U.N. climate conference in Mexico at the end of the year.
Connie Hedegaard, Denmark's Climate and Energy Minister, told the European Parliament: "I very much hope that by Mexico of course we could go to 30%".
Mark Sinden, Council Member of the Energy Saving Association (ESA), believes that saving energy is the best, most cost-effective way of achieving carbon emission reduction: "The EU's commitment is commendable, and to achieve a further 10% emissions cut is possible, provided the right measures are implemented. Saving energy is undeniably the most effective way of going about this, as it drastically reduces carbon emissions (generated by the consumption of energy). Everybody uses energy on a daily basis, creating excess carbon emissions, and in turn leading to severe climate change consequences."
Mrs. Hedegaard also added that she would be a strong advocate of that target increase, and that the EU should use this commitment to "squeeze" more ambitious targets from other countries.
In December 2008, the EU agreed to reduce CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020, from 1990 levels, and was still prepared to raise their cut to 30% during last month's climate summit, provided other countries committed to similar efforts.
However, Europe considered the outcome of the U.N.-sponsored climate negotiations in Copenhagen as 'disappointing' and not ambitious enough to prompt that increase.
In order to reach the 30% CO2 reduction, the EU will need to take action in order to tackle the industry sector, alone responsible for a third of total emissions.
Implementing energy saving systems, for example, could result in a considerable decrease in carbon emissions, as well as generally save money on energy bills. To achieve this result, policies would need to evolve, making energy efficiency a mandatory requirement for all public buildings and businesses.
Friday 15th January 2010
