Ministers meeting in Luxembourg today failed to call for a higher emissions reduction target in Europe. With six weeks to go before crucial international climate talks in Mexico, European governments are continuing their over-reliance on carbon markets. This will not deliver the necessary level of emissions reductions, and is obstructing more effective policy measures such as regulation, direct investments, and taxation.[1]
Europe must resist pressure from industry lobby groups [2] and increase the current 20% target to at least 40% emissions cuts by 2020 without offsetting, says Friends of the Earth Europe. The expansion of international carbon markets cannot be a replacement for mandatory targets under a binding international climate agreement.
Brook Riley, climate campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe said: “Europe’s fixation with carbon trading, added to paltry CO2 emissions caps and offsetting loopholes, is preventing the real emissions cuts we urgently need. International leadership on climate talks must not mean extending carbon markets. The EU must set an emissions target of at least 40% by 2020, and ensure these cuts are made domestically.”
Business attempts to undermine effective European action on climate change are being exposed by the Worst EU Lobbying Awards 2010.
www.worstlobby.eu
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Notes:
[1] Friends of the Earth Europe’s briefing ‘The EU Emissions Trading System; failing to deliver’ is online here. [2] The nominees in the climate category of the Worst EU Lobbying Awards 2010 are:BusinessEurope: Nominated for its aggressive lobbying to block effective climate action in the EU while claiming to support action to protect the climate
ArcelorMittal: Steel industry fat cat, nominated for lobbying on CO2 cuts under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and profiting from free ETS emission permits
RWE: Nominated for claiming to be green while lobbying to keep its dirty coal-and oil-fired power plants open.
Corporate influence over governments is blocking desperately needed measures to stop the worsening of the climate crises. Members of the public can vote online at www.worstlobby.eu
