EU proposes sweeping climate change fight / EU outlines ambitious emissions goals

The European Commission proposed on the 23 January 2008 far-reaching measures to combat climate change, including national targets for the use of renewable energy and the obligatory purchase by companies of carbon dioxide emission permits.

The proposed measures include: an improved emissions trading system (ETS) covering more emissions and allowing firms in one EU country to buy allowances in any other; an emission reduction target for industries not covered by the ETS (e.g. buildings, transport, waste) so that everyone is contributing; Legally enforceable targets for increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix – the targets will reflect each country's individual needs and its potential
new rules on carbon capture and storage and on environmental subsidies.

The proposals came under heavy fire from industry and many EU member countries over the possible costs of the scheme, and from environmenalists for not going far enough.

European Commission: Press Release: IP/08/80: Boosting growth and jobs by meeting our climate change commitments http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/80&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: Commissioners: President Barroso: In Focus: Building a global low-carbon economy, January 2008 http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/president/focus/energy-package-2008/index_en.htm

BBC News, 23.1.08: EU reveals energy plan of action http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7203514.stm

Friends of the Earth Europe: Press Release, 23.1.08: Greenhouse gas target too weak to stop climate change http://www.foeeurope.org/press/2008/Jan23_Target_too_weak_climate_change.html

European Environmental Bureau: Press Release, 23.1.08: Commission Proposal out of Fuel http://www.eeb.org/press/230108-pr-commission-proposal-on-fuel.html

Deutsche Welle, 23.1.08: EU Unveils Ambitious Package to Limit Global Warming http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3083783,00.html

BBC News, 23.1.08: Why new EU states can emit more http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7201991.stm

Deutsche Welle, 24.1.08: German Industry Concerned by Cost of EU Climate Plan http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3086606,00.html

Open Europe: EU renewable energy and biofuel targets – what will they mean? Briefing Note, January 2008 http://www.openeurope.org.uk/research/environmenttargets.pdf

United Kingdom: Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Press Release, 23.1.08: Carbon emissions proposals from EU Commission: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1199204783600

Deutsche Welle, 23.1.08: EU Climate Plan Rekindles German Autobahn Speed Limit Debate http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3085749,00.html

United Kingdom: DEFRA: Press Release, 23.1.08: UK welcomes EU climate change proposals http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2008/080123a.htm

United Kingdom: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Environmental Protection: Climate change: Action to tackle global warming (Web page) http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/index.htm

European Parliamenrt: Info, 24.1.08: Climate change committee calls for urgent review on EU biofuels policy, welcomes Bali roadmap http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/064-19610-023-01-04-911-20080124IPR19608-23-01-2008-2008-false/default_en.htm

European Parliament: Article, 24.1.08: MEPs react to Barroso's 20-20-20 climate vision http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/public/story_page/064-19297-022-01-04-911-20080121STO19278-2008-22-01-2008/default_en.htm

EurActiv, 27.11.08: EU heads towards scaled-down climate ambitions http://www.euractiv.com/en/climate-change/eu-heads-scaled-climate-ambitions/article-177565

European Commission: Climate Action http://ec.europa.eu/clima/

ESO: Background information: European Parliament approves climate legislation http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-parliament-approves-climate-legislation/

EurActiv: Links Dossier: Energy and climate change: Towards an integrated EU policy http://www.euractiv.com/energy/energy-climate-change-integrated-linksdossier-188405

EurActiv, 7.4.09: EU wraps up climate and energy policy http://www.euractiv.com/climate-change/eu-wraps-climate-energy-policy-news-221593

Council of the European Union: Press Release: PRES/09/77: Council adopts climate-energy legislative package http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/misc/107136.pdf

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