EWEA – Start the road to 2050 with 30% domestic emission reductions

Moving now to 30% domestic emissions reductions by 2020 (instead of today’s 20% target), together with targets for 2030 is necessary to achieve the long-term goals set out in the 2050 roadmap, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

The existing target is too low to meet the 2050 roadmap goals of limiting the global temperature rise to 2°Celsius and reducing domestic emissions by 80% by 2050.

"Without an immediate increase in the 2020 emissions reduction target, the EU is making it much more difficult to achieve its 2050 aims" said Christian Kjaer, Chief Executive of the European Wind Energy Association today in Brussels.

The risk of an oil shock this year makes the transition to a low carbon economy even more urgent – and the European Wind Energy Association believes wind energy could meet 50% of Europe’s electricity supply by 2050.

European Wind Energy Association agrees that the Roadmap’s proposal for a 93-99% cut in CO2 emissions in the power sector by 2050 is essential to achieve the 80% reduction in Europe’s overall greenhouse gas emissions. "The Commission has now defined what the 2050 power sector can emit, but has failed to define what a low carbon energy technology actually is" said Kjaer.

European Wind Energy Association urges the European Commission to follow up the Roadmap with specific proposals for EU energy policy post 2020. "The main pillars of the EU’s energy and climate policies – the emissions reduction, renewable energy and energy efficiency targets of 20% – all run out in 2020" warned Christian Kjaer. "Post 2020 policies need to be put in place without delay."

www.ewea.org/