The EU must put extra legislation in place in the lifetime of the current European Commission if it is to meet its commitment to cut domestic carbon emissions by 80-95% by 2050, warned the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).
Last week the European Commission released its 'Roadmap to a low carbon society' which outlined the need for a "fully decarbonised power sector" by 2050. But the need for action is much more immediate than EU leaders realise. EWEA proposes in its new report, "EU Energy Policy to 2050":
Last week the European Commission released its 'Roadmap to a low carbon society' which outlined the need for a "fully decarbonised power sector" by 2050. But the need for action is much more immediate than EU leaders realise. EWEA proposes in its new report, "EU Energy Policy to 2050":
- A binding "Emissions Performance Standard" (EPS) to limit carbon emissions on new power plants from 2015, starting at 350g/KWh - the emissions of a gas plant - and going down over time to encourage technological progress.
- Reducing Europe's domestic emissions by 30% by 2020 instead of the current 20% target, which includes reductions outside the EU.
- Setting domestic emissions reduction targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050, taking the power sector to zero carbon by 2050, as well as a 2030 renewable energy target. Higher emission reduction targets would also help tighten up the Emissions Trading System and make it more efficient.
