EU to Set Tougher Carbon Emissions Standards

[Seabastian.Smith]

MEPs have called for the EU to strengthen its emissions reduction ambitions at the forthcoming climate change summit in Doha.

A narrow majority of MEPs deemed the current goal of a 20 per cent cut in emissions against 1990 levels by 2020 as incompatible with the EU's stated goal of limiting global temperature increases to 2ºC and voted to adopt a new resolution that would raise the target to 30 per cent.

[Ulrik]

Whilst I agree that tougher standards are needed. Is it fair to raise them by 50% just 8 years before the deadline?

How will this increase affect the energy policies of countries in Europe? Those that believed they would just achieve 20% would now need to change their policies in order to reduce emissions by an extra 50%

[CythSmal]

It is actually quite surprising, but many countries are on course to easily achieve the original target of 20%.

The new target is intended to really push the boat out, and challenge governments to do all that they can to actually reduce emissions and battle climate change.

Up until now it has all been a bit to easy.