UK, France and Germany target EU emissions targets

Climate change Ministers from UK, France and Germany have kicked off a joint initiative to push the EU to move from its current 20% target to a 30% emissions cut by 2020 – in line with commitments made in the Coalition Agreement. The three countries simultaneously published an article outlining the economic benefits for increasing Europe’s targets.

The Secretary of State, Chris Huhne, was clear that the current target was “not sufficient” in allowing business investment in green technologies, and risks “putting Europe in the global slow lane of maximising low carbon economic opportunities.” “Europe’s economic competitors are not hanging back’, the article warns.

The message, however, is positive. “We are convinced that Europe has the capability – but it does not yet have the right incentives for changing investment patterns.”

The full article can be read here.