Brussels, March 14, 2011 – European environment ministers met today in Brussels to discuss the follow up to the international climate negotiations in Cancún. Friends of the Earth Europe welcomes the open letter from environment ministers from Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Greece and the UK, making the case for the EU to move to 30% emissions reductions, published in the morning of the Council meeting [1].
But, greater ambition is needed, in line with what science and climate justice demand, to bring us closer to achieving a just and strong agreement at the UN climate talks in South Africa this year. To ensure we don’t exceed a temperature rise of 2 degrees the EU would need at least 40% emission cuts by 2020, domestically and without offsets.
Sonja Meister, climate justice campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe says: “Environment ministers missed another opportunity to increase Europe’s insufficient emissions targets. But a critical mass of countries recognise the economic benefits of more ambitious European emissions targets – to create jobs, and improve import security and competitiveness
“All ministers should agree upon a target of at least 30%, bringing us closer to the crucial 40% domestic cuts, without offsetting, needed to offer a decent chance of keeping global warming under control.”
Nuclear safety and the situation in Japan was also discussed at the Council, and a special meeting of energy ministers has been called for tomorrow. Friends of the Earth Europe expresses deep concerns about the worsening situation at the Fukushima nuclear power station, and stands in solidarity with the population of Japan and colleagues at Friends of the Earth Japan, following the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami, offering condolences to those who have lost loved ones.
Magda Stoczkiewicz, director of Friends of the Earth Europe says: “Friends of the Earth Europe stands in solidarity with the victims of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in Japan. European leaders must take note of the catastrophic events in Japan – nuclear energy is neither safe nor a solution to climate change. The only safe and secure form of energy is that which harnesses clean, renewable resources – Europe can achieve domestic emission cuts of at least 40%, without relying on dangerous and unproven technologies such as nuclear power.”
