Germany expects quick deal over ‘ambitious’ EU climate goals

Series Title
Series Details 11.03.14
Publication Date 11/03/2014
Content Type

Despite persistent opposition from some EU member states, German environment minister Barbara Hendricks said she expected an agreement over the EU's proposed climate and energy package for 2030.

The statement followed a presentation of the 7th Environment Action Programme (EAP) alongisde the EU Commissioner for Environment, Janez Potočnik.

The objective, presented by the Commission in January 2014, were part of a broader package of proposals on energy and climate change for 2030 which would see Europe emit 40% less carbon dioxide, use renewables for 27% of its energy, and employ a reserve mechanism to regulate its carbon market.

In March 2014, a survey showed an opinion swing in Poland, with an increase in the support of a proposed 40% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and a bigger usage of renewable energy to save the country from dependency on Russia.

A renewed sense of urgency to engage with the 2030 climate agenda could be sensed during the European Council in March 2014, amid calls to reduce the EU’s dependency on Russian gas imports.

The UN's secretary-general called on EU leaders to set an example and agree on an ambitious 2030 target at a Council Summit in June 2014, that could be taken to a UN conference in Lima three months later, and shape a global, legally-binding treaty by the end of 2015.

The European Parliament and EU member states must still sign off on the proposal.

EurActiv reported on the 17 April 2014 that the European Commission would hold three meetings with key industry groups during Summer to thrash out whether the free allocation of carbon permits to big polluters should continue after 2020, when current measures expire.

Source Link http://www.euractiv.com/sustainability/agreement-expected-soon-ambitiou-news-534013
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ESO: Background information: 2030 climate and energy goals for a competitive, secure and low-carbon EU economy http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-2030-climate-and-energy-goals-for-a-competitive-secure-and-low-carbon-eu-economy/
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EurActiv, 14.03.14: EU ruled out 2030 offsets due to carbon market drought http://www.euractiv.com/energy/eu-ruled-2030-offsets-due-carbon-news-534131
EurActiv, 19.03.14: Polish public swings behind EU climate plan http://www.euractiv.com/energy/polish-public-swings-eu-climate-news-534245
EurActiv, 20.03.14: Russian energy threat galvanises EU ‘climate hawks’ http://www.euractiv.com/energy/russian-energy-security-threat-g-news-534281
ESO: Background information: Energy security debate: Tusk warns Merkel against Russian gas addiction http://www.europeansources.info/record/energy-security-debate-tusk-warns-merkel-against-russian-gas-addiction/
ESO: Background information: European Council, Brussels, 20-21 March 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-council-brussels-20-21-march-2014/
EurActiv, 04.04.14: Ban Ki-Moon: EU must agree to a 2030 climate package in June http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-policy/ban-ki-moon-eu-must-agree-2030-climate-package-june-301350
EurActiv, 17.04.14: EU seeks industry ‘carbon leakage’ tips before 2030 climate decision http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/eu-seeks-industry-carbon-leakage-tips-2030-climate-decision-301623

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