Oettinger rallies opposition to 2030 CO2 target

The EU’s energy commissioner, Günther Oettinger, has spoken out against a planned 40% cut in CO2 emissions across the EU by 2030, just a week after he helped to launch the policy.

Speaking at an 'Industry Matters' conference in Brussels, he referred to the plan as an ambitious compromise.

EurActiv reported on the 4 February 2014 that pressure was growing on the German commissioner, following his remarks at the conference.

Jean-Michel Charpin, the inspector general of the French government's finances, was also critical of the European Commission’s proposed reform, according to EurActiv on the 4 February 2014. He said that the European Commission's proposed carbon price stabilisation mechanism is a "masterpiece of Brussels technocracy" that could fuel greater market volatility.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Denmark signals fight for tougher 2030 climate and clean energy goals http://www.europeansources.info/record/denmark-signals-fight-for-tougher-2030-climate-and-clean-energy-goals/

ESO: Background information: Industry Matters Trading our Way to Recovery http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-industry-matters-trading-our-way-to-recovery/

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/

Deutsche Welle, 30.01.14: How the EU's green energy drive is hitting US forests http://dw.de/p/1Ayp4

EurActiv, 04.02.14: Oettinger feels the heat over climate remarks http://www.euractiv.com/energy/oettinger-feels-heat-climate-rem-news-533237

EurActiv, 04.02.14: France launches probe into EU carbon market reform plan http://www.euractiv.com/climate-environment/french-academic-question-eu-carb-news-533248

---