The deal was aimed at countering climate change and setting an example for the rest of the world ahead of key international climate negotiations next year.
A package agreed by leaders at an EU summit in the early hours of Friday after lengthy negotiations also requires climate-friendly, renewable energy to provide at least 27 percent of the bloc's needs and demands that energy efficiency increase by at least 27 percent in the next 16 years.
"It was not easy, not at all, but we managed to reach a fair decision," said European Council President Herman Van Rompuy. "It sets Europe on an ambitious yet cost-effective climate and energy path."
The decision makes the EU the first major economy to set post-2020 emissions targets ahead of a global climate pact that is supposed to be adopted next year in Paris. Other countries including the US are bound to be measured against the EU goals as they present their own emissions targets.
"This agreement keeps Europe firmly in the driving seat in international climate talks ahead of the Paris summit next year," said EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.
But environmental activists said it fell short of what the 28-nation bloc should have done.
Joris den Blanken of Greenpeace called it a "very modest" package. "It will mean a slowdown in clean energy development in Europe," he said.
The pact came after strong opposition from Poland and other poorer eastern European nations fund the necessary changes.
Poland had argued that pace of change was too fast for Eastern European countries that are trying to grow their economies as they restructure old, energy-dependent industries.
Almost 90 percent of Poland's electricity comes from coal. The nation intends to continue that way for decades because mining creates 100,000 direct jobs and many thousands more in related sectors. Warsaw argues that green energy, large wind farms and solar panels still create energy that is too expensive.
- Van Rompuy said poorer EU member states would get help reaching the targets.
china.org.cn - China Daily via Agencies - mme.gr
24/10/14
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Accord européen "ambitieux" sur de nouveaux objectifs énergétiques...
ReplyDeleteLes chefs d'Etat et de gouvernement européens ont trouvé un accord jeudi soir sur de nouveaux objectifs énergétiques et climatiques. Les émissions de CO2 seront réduites d'"au moins 40%" à l'horizon 2030, a indiqué le président du Conseil européen, Herman Van Rompuy, dans un tweet.
Ils ont également convenu de faire passer la part des renouvelables à 27% et d'améliorer l'efficacité énergétique de 27%. Les interconnections énergétiques entre pays devront aussi être développées.
"C'est une bonne nouvelle pour le climat, les citoyens, la santé et les négociations internationales sur le climat à Paris en 2015", a commenté le président du Conseil européen, Herman Van Rompuy, qui peut ainsi achever son mandat sur un succès. L'accord créera "des emplois durables" et de la "compétitivité", a-t-il dit..................http://www.rtbf.be/info/monde/detail_accord-sur-de-nouveaux-objectifs-energetiques-europeens?id=8385476
24/10/14