On October 28, 2013, 13 European environment ministers called on the EU to set more ambitious energy and climate targets for 2030, otherwise Europe may fall behind other countries in this regard.
A 40-page report reveals that European environment ministers are calling for reform of the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), arguing that environmental protection efforts and energy price controls are not necessarily contradictory. The ministers point out that some EU countries have a high proportion of renewable energy, relatively low energy prices, and can also benefit from the export of renewable energy technologies.
At a conference in Brussels, British Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey pointed out that the EU has always been in a leading position in this market, but China and the United States also see it as an opportunity and are catching up.
The UK also pointed out that the EU has committed to reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, with 10% coming from international carbon offsets and the remainder from internal EU emissions reductions.
While all 13 environment ministers agreed that proactive action was necessary, disagreements remained on the details. The UK advocated only for carbon reduction targets, Denmark proposed three targets: carbon reduction, renewable energy, and energy conservation, and Portugal even proposed a fourth target: improving energy infrastructure.
To date, the EU has set three environmental and climate targets for 2020: a 20% reduction in carbon emissions compared to 1990 levels, an increase in the share of renewable energy to 20%, and a 20% improvement in energy efficiency.
Sources: REUTERSReuters (2013-10-28)
