135 European Parliamentarians Call For 30% EU Emissions Target in Copenhagen - GLOBE EU Proposes 30% Policy Roadmap
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| On 9 December a cross-party, GLOBE-led group of 35 MEPs representing 14 EU Member States joined forces with 100 national parliamentarians from 19 EU Member States to make an impassioned plea for EU leaders to commit to a target of a 30% emissions cut for 2020 in Copenhagen as a crucial step to unblock the international climate negotiations in an Open Letter to all 27 Heads of State and Government. The GLOBE EU Board presented the open letter in a press conference at the European Parliament and launched the paper Breakthrough or breakdown? How the EU action could resolve the climate deadlock, proposing a policy roadmap to deliver this target. The Open Letter with the list of 135 parliamentary signatories was presented to the wider EU policy community in a full page of the European Voice on 10 December, and to the wider European audience in a full page of the European and British editions of the Financial Times one day later. |
Speaking at the launch of the paper, where the joint letter was signed, GLOBE EU chair Sirpa Pietikäinen said:
“One year ago, EU governments showed leadership by agreeing to a firm 20% emissions reduction target, and 30% if other developed countries joined the effort. Waiting for others to move is no longer proof of leadership,” explaining that “Australia, Japan, and other developed countries have now announced serious targets. Our leaders have to be ready to put a firm 30% target of domestic emissions reductions on the table in Copenhagen. Our analysis shows this is the right thing to do for the negotiations and for Europe’s economy.”
As other countries around the world recognise the benefits of the shift to a low-carbon economy - not only because it is necessary to avoid catastrophic climate change, but also because it makes economic sense – it is time for EU leaders to once again establish their leadership. This urgently needed leadership would give a boost to the Copenhagen climate talks and would be an important impetus in building trust between nations and secure a robust and meaningful deal at the summit.
Vittorio Prodi, vice-chair of GLOBE EU and Italian Social Democrat MEP added:
“The EU Council agreed long-term targets of between 80-95% emission reductions by 2050 this past October. If their words are to be taken seriously, 30% domestic reductions by 2020 is inevitable. Pretending to wait for other countries to move now undermines Europe’s credibility in the negotiations and the very prospect of a successful outcome in Copenhagen.”
Graham Watson, vice-chair of GLOBE EU and British Liberal Democrat MEP added:
“It is perfectly within our capacity to make the green energy switch, even at a time of economic difficulty. If we do so we will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, boost economic growth in quantity and quality and preserve the planet for our grandchildren.”
GLOBE-EU vice chair and Green Finnish MEP Satu Hassi added:
“With the recession, 30% is anyway the new 20%. We must stop thinking that a higher target somehow puts us at an economic disadvantage. There are huge economic benefits in moving to a low carbon economy. With the likes of Japan, China, Brazil and India recognising the economic advantages and announcing progressive climate change policies, Europe must not get left behind.”
The EU’s promised cut of 20% by 2020 has recently been criticised for lacking ambition. Not only has it been proved to be an inadequate target for combating catastrophic climate change, but it has also been shown to be a target requiring very little effort to reach.
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