Environment MEPs back shift to 30 percent emissions cuts
May 25th 2011
The wind energy sector and green groups have welcomed a vote by environment committee MEPs in favour of increasing the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reductions by up to 30 percent by 2020. MEPs sitting on parliament’s environment committee yesterday backed a resolution stating that, before the end of the year, the EU should pledge to cut its GHG emissions by 30 percent by 2020 from 1990 levels. This paves the way for a plenary vote in parliament scheduled for 23 June.
The committee agreed that the resolution, put forward by Dutch Green MEP Bas Eickhout, should predominantly be reached by domestic action, such as through increased use of renewables and energy efficiency, rather than purchasing offsets.
As with the existing 20 percent reduction commitment, there should be some scope to include offsets, but the EU should undertake to achieve 25 percent GHG reductions on its own territory, it stated.
Commenting on the result, Eickhout said parliament’s position has been shifting in favour of the changeover.
“There is now broad support for a 30 per cent reduction target and a growing realisation that ambitious climate policies are in Europe’s own economic interest,” he said.
More: http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2073693/environment-meps-shift-cent-emissions-cuts
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