Brussels, 29/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - In 2013, greenhouse gas emissions fell by 1.8% in the EU compared with 2012 to the lowest level since 1990, according to the latest estimates published by the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA) on Tuesday 28 October. In 2013, total EU emissions were already 19% below the 1990 level, the Kyoto Protocol reference year. Not only, then is the EU well on course to achieve the target set for 2020 (a 20% reduction) but to exceed it, with expectations that it will reach a drop of 21% by that date, stated the Commission and the EEA, at a time when the EU has just agreed still more ambitious targets for the period from 2020 to 2030. The EU is also on track to achieve its renewable energy and energy efficiency targets.
The annual progress report on achievement of the emissions reduction targets set by the Kyoto Protocol and as part of the EUROPE 2020 strategy is prepared by the European Commission for the European Parliament and the Council. For the first time, it has provided data on the use of fiscal revenues from auctioning of CO2 allowances in the EU Emission Trading System (ETS). This new source of revenues for Member States amounted to €3.6 billion in 2013. The major part of this sum - around €3 billion - will be used for climate and energy-related purposes (energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable transport). This is significantly more than the 50% level recommended in the EU ETS directive to tackle climate change in the EU and in other countries. These revenues complement the funds from the EU's NER 300 programme which is devoting €2.1 billion to support 39 large-scale demonstration projects for low carbon technologies around Europe.
Connie Hedegaard, the European climate action commissioner, is delighted. She sees in this the proof that the EU, ready to increase its efforts, is credible on the international stage - something she will not fail to highlight at the UN climate conference in Lima (COP 20, 1-12 December 2014) (see EUROPE 11186). “Delivering on 2020 climate goals shows that Europe is ready to step up its act. And better, still: it shows that the EU is delivering substantial cuts. The policies work. Therefore, the EU leaders last week decided to continue the ambition and reach at least 40% by 2030. This will require significant investments. That's why it is encouraging that Member States have decided to use most of their current ETS revenues to invest in climate and energy and continue the transformation to a low-carbon economy”, she said.
The provisional EEA report, Trends and projections in EUROPE 2014, which analyses member states' projections shows that, in 2012, energy generated from renewable sources made up 14% of final energy consumption and that the EU is ahead of the planned trajectory to hit 20% by 2020. Similarly, energy consumption fell more quickly than is needed to achieve the 20% energy efficiency target. However, taken individually, no member state is on course to reach the three targets, under the effort-sharing agreement. Nine countries were making good progress. Three member states are at risk of missing their individual targets for 2013 and projected greenhouse gas emissions for six Member States indicate that they will not achieve their 2020 targets through domestic policies and measures. Projections show little or no emissions cuts in the transport and agriculture sectors. Further efforts are needed at national and EU level to keep the EU on track towards its new 2030 targets (at least a 40% reduction in emissions, at least a 27% renewable energy share, and at least 27% energy savings) and as its longer term objectives ( a reduction of between 80% and 95% by 2050), says the EEA. (AN)