New climate goals outlined by European Commission

The European Commission has outlined its targets for reducing carbon emissions and using more green energy by 2030.

The targets reflect industry demands that climate ambitions have to take the economic downturn into consideration but still press for an economy that produces less carbon and is less dependent on fossil fuels.

So far it has a set of three 2020 green energy and climate policy targets, which both green campaigners and industry, keen for investment guidance, say need updating.

The latest initiative proposes a 40 per cent cut in carbon emissions against 1990 levels and a goal that renewable energy will supply 30 per cent of all energy needs, both by 2030.

That compares with three 2020 policy goals to cut carbon emissions by 20 per cent, increase renewables to 20 percent and improve energy savings by 20 per cent.

A 40 per cent cut in emissions, it says, strikes the balance between upfront investment and long-term cost.

The low-carbon road maps to 2050 note that by the middle of the century the European Union needs to cut its emissions by 80 to 95 per cent from 1990 levels to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius, the level scientists say would fend off the most devastating effects.

The 40 per cent 2030 goal would be a staging post towards the bottom end of the 80-95 per cent cut, Tom Brookes, a director at climate think-tank the European Climate Foundation said..