Transcript EU Climate Change Policy - Council of European

Save energy, save money, save the climate – local and regional actions
CEMR seminar on climate change in the context of the EU Sustainable Energy Week
31 January 2007
EU climate change policies: mitigation and
adaptation. Where to draw the subsidiarity line in
climate change and sustainable energy policies?
Matti Vainio
European Commission
DG Environment
Key Objectives Climate Change and
Energy Package
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Meeting the 2°C objective:
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In international negotiations GHG reduction target of
30% by 2020 for developed countries (vs. 1990).
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A firm, independent commitment to achieve at least
20% GHG reduction by 2020 for EU-27 (vs. 1990)
Perspective of Kyoto Protocol:
2012 -8% (EU-15)
 Today -5% (EU-27)
-1% (EU-15)
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An Energy Policy for Europe
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Energy efficiency (eg. cars, appliances, buildings)
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Renewable energy: 20% mandatory objective by 2020
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differentiation of targets necessary between Member States
flexibility in target setting within a country between sectors
includes minimum biofuels target of 10% by 2020
Sustainable power generation from fossil fuels: aiming at
near-zero emissions of new plants by 2020
New steps to reach internal market - options for
unbundling and regulatory powers:
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to be improved by 20% by 2020
important for functioning EU ETS
decrease hurdles for renewables
Nuclear: Member States’ choice
Towards a European strategic energy technology plan
Global Participation
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The 2C objective:
Global GHG emissions need
to peak around 2020
EU & Developed countries:
30% GHG emission reduction
target by 2020, compared to
1990 levels
Developing countries:
Reduced growth asap,
absolute reductions after
2020
Deforestation: halt within
two decades and then
reverse
Developed countries GHG emissions
140%
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
1990
2005
2020
Baseline
2030
2040
2050
Reduction Scenario
Developing countries GHG emissions
320%
280%
240%
200%
160%
120%
80%
40%
0%
1990
2005
2020
Baseline
2030
2040
Reduction Scenario
2050
Global carbon market
• Firm independent target = long term signal for investors in ETS
• Review EU ETS
• Link it to compatible systems
• Global emissions peak around 2020: global
carbon market decreases investment costs
with a factor 3.
• Proposals to increase market signals in
developing countries:
• Improve and widen CDM
• Improved access to financing (EBRD,
GEEREF etc.)
INVESTMENT COST
GLOBAL GDP
Benefits and Costs
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“Winning the Battle” & Stern Review: benefits of limiting
Climate Change outweigh costs of action
Costs of inaction: 5%-20% of global GDP (Stern Review)
Costs of action for the EU (2030):
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-30% target with global participation: -0,19% annualised GDP
-20% independent target: -0,02% to -0,09% annualised GDP
Does not include co-benefits:
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Increased energy security
Improved competitiveness through innovation
Health benefits from reduced air pollution
Limits on climate change
Do we need to draw lines
Where to draw the subsidiarity line in
climate change and sustainable energy
policies?
Can you draw a line between national,
regional and local policies?
Importance of EU level action
Internal market
 Cross-border issues, eg transboundary
air pollution, greenhouse gases
 Make a difference at global level
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 establish
leadership in climate change (eg
carbon market)
 speaking with one voice
Importance of regional and local
action: making reduction concrete
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Emission reduction
 Infrastructure
 Transport
 Public
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procurement
Adaptation
 Infrastructure
 Regional
and local spatial planning
 Building standards
Importance of local action
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Energy efficiency
engaging the broad public
 building codes and practices, enforcement
 Public procurement (building standards)
 Infrastructure (heat networks/district heating)
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Sustainable transport : local level crucial
urban planning
 transport planning – promoting and organising
public transport
 public procurement (transport fleet, fuels)
 congestion charging (eg London) – parking fees
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Importance of local action
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Renewable energy
 Building
standards
 Local, decentralised in nature
 Also a number of benefits are local :
employment, new businesses, air quality…
 Local level important for planning purposes
and engaging/convincing the public
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Awareness raising – close to the citizen
Conclusions
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Climate change is happening
 Need
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to adapt
We need to act at all levels
Complementarity of action, EU, National,
Regional, Local levels
Co-benefits of action
Reduce CO2 emissions
 Reduce air pollution
 Save money
 Make local communities better places to live
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More information
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Climate change:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/future_action.htm
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Energy:
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/energy_policy/index_en.htm