Chris Huhne backs European plan to raise target for emission cuts
members to raise their sights and increase the target from 20 to 30 per cent by
2020.
securing an ambitious deal is a priority for this Government. That’s why we will
push for the EU to demonstrate leadership by supporting an increase in the EU
emissions reduction target to 30 per cent by 2020."
and raising the price of allowances that companies must buy to emit carbon dioxide.
It also proposed introducing border tariffs to protect European companies from
foreign competitors manufacturing in countries with weaker controls on emissions.
could be used for low carbon investments in order to create local green jobs".
the debate in the member states on the way forward". She said the decision to
move to the 30% target was one for EU leaders, "when the timing and conditions
are right".
in the eurozone, she said, but added that there were economic advantages to adopting
the higher target because it would result in the rapid expansion of low-carbon
industries. She admitted the higher target would cost another €33 billion ( £28 billion) a year by 2020,
but said: "This is not lost money. This is the cost of an investment that will
pay dividends."
deal on cutting emissions before adopting the higher target. She also said that
the US proposal to cut emissions by 4% by 2020, while much weaker, could still meet the EU’s condition that other major economies
should take "comparable action" which, she added, would be "a political decision".
40%. It said the commission’s own analysis had found that CO2 cuts of 25-40 per cent
would be needed by 2020 to give a reasonable chance of preventing the global temperature
from rising more than 2C above the pre-industrial average.
campaign, said: "Many European business leaders are calling for bolder commitments
from political leaders to guarantee greater energy security and economic growth,
as well as new jobs and export opportunities."