Greenhouse gas emissions : the European Council reaches agreement
During the EU summit on 23rd and 24th October, the Heads of State have agreed on new EU targets on reducing greenhouse gas from 1990 to 2030 :
- Reducing emissions by 40% ;
- Increasing the share of renewable energy to 27% of the total consumption;
- Making 27% savings ;
- Increasing goals of energy interconnection networks to limit dependence of each member state.
The poorest countries, mainly eastern countries which are still dependent on fossil fuels and have not begun the energy transition, called for European solidarity ; Portugal and Spain also relies on solidarity to invest in energy interconnection nodes in the Pyrenees.
This agreement will replace the agreement of the three 20% adopted in 2009 (lower emissions, renewable energy, energy saving), but it must be adopted by the European Parliament.
The President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy said : "This is good news for the environment, people, health, and international climate negotiations in Paris in 2015," he added that it would create "sustainable jobs" and "competitiveness." The President also added that "the crisis in Ukraine, and the instability in the Middle East, it has become very clear how it is urgent and vital to reduce the energy dependence of Europe."
The Greens do not share the optimism of leaders.
Sources : La-croix.com, libération.fr, lemonde.fr
To go further : touteleurope.eu