EU leaders agree on integrated climate and energy policy, including on renewable energy targets
Summary: EU leaders agree on integrated climate and energy policy, including on renewable energy targets (9 March 2007: Brussels)
Heads of State and Government of the 27 Member States of the European Union attending the European Council in Brussels on 8 and 9 March 2007 agreed on elements of an integrated climate and energy policy, including a firm independent commitment to achieve at least a 20% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to 1990. The European Council also endorsed binding targets of 20% and 10% for renewables in general and biofuels in particular, respectively.
The Energy Policy for Europe will pursue the following three objectives, fully respecting Member States' choice of energy mix and sovereignty over primary energy sources and underpinned by a spirit of solidarity amongst Member States:
• increasing security of supply;
• ensuring the competitiveness of European economies and the availability of affordable energy;
• promoting environmental sustainability and combating climate change.
The European Council endorsed the following targets related to renewable energies:
• a binding target of a 20% share of renewable energies in overall EU energy consumption by 2020;
• a 10% binding minimum target to be achieved by all Member States for the share of biofuels in overall EU transport petrol and diesel consumption by 2020, to be introduced in a cost-efficient way.
The European Council underlines the vital importance of achieving the strategic objective of limiting the global average temperature increase to not more than 2° C above pre-industrial levels.
The leading role of the EU in international climate protection was underlined. It was stressed that international collective action was critical and that negotiations on a global and comprehensive post-2012 agreement need to be launched at the UN international climate conference beginning at the end of 2007 and completed by 2009.
The post-2012 framework would include:
• the development of a shared vision to reach the ultimate objective of the UNFCCC;
• the strengthening and extension of global carbon markets;
• the development, deployment and transfer of the necessary technology to reduce emissions;
• appropriate adaptation measures to deal with the effects of climate change;
• action on deforestation and;
• addressing emissions from international aviation and maritime transportation.
All countries should be invited to contribute to the efforts under this framework according to their differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. Developed countries should continue to take the lead by committing to collectively reducing their greenhouse gas emissions in the order of 30% by 2020 compared to 1990 and by 60% to 80% by 2050.
In particular, the Council endorsed an EU objective of a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to 1990 as its contribution to a global and comprehensive post-2012 agreement, provided that other developed countries commit themselves to comparable emission reductions and economically more advanced developing countries to contributing adequately according to their responsibilities and respective capabilities.
The European Council stands ready to continue and further strengthen its support for developing countries in lessening their vulnerability and adapting to climate change.
The European Council also decided that, until a global and comprehensive post-2012 agreement is concluded, and without prejudice to its position in international negotiations, the EU makes a firm independent commitment to achieve at least a 20% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to 1999.
For details, please see the European Council Conclusions
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_applications/applications/newsroom/loadDocument.ASP?cmsID=363&LANG=EN&directory=en/ec/&fileName=93135.pdf
and the European Commission website on climate change
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/home_en.htm
- Ref: CL07-064EN
- EU source: Council
- UN forum:
- Date: 9/3/2007
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