Childers calls on the EU to boost CO2 reduction offer to 40% ahead of Copenhagen summit

Posted by Bronwen Maher on November 25, 2009 at 03:49 PM

A unilateral offer by the EU of a new 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions would strongly demonstrate to the US and China that Europe is prepared to “go the extra mile” and lead the world in tackling climate change.
 
Such ambition would also help transform the Irish economy, providing new opportunities for Irish green-tech businesses and creating thousands of green, sustainable jobs as we move to a low-carbon future, according to Nessa Childers MEP who will be in Copenhagen next month for the UN Climate Change Conference.
 
Speaking after the adoption of a resolution in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the only full Irish member of the Parliament’s Environment Committee said "an offer of a 40% target jump, conditional on all key players jumping in unison, is warranted, viable and achievable at this time.
 
“The Parliament has already shown more ambition than the Member States in relation to a reduction in carbon emissions and today’s resolution is to be welcomed with calls for real financing, calls for strong targets in the high-end from 25-40% in line with the science and on the insistence on a legally binding agreement.
 
“However I believe the goalposts have now shifted somewhat as the recession has led to a significant fall in global emissions since the EU’s initial negotiating position of 20-30% was first drawn up in 2007. Reaching higher targets on emissions is now much more achievable than first thought. The EU must make a conditional offer of the maximum 40% target as called for under today's resolution.
 
“There is a clear economic win-win involved in pursuing higher targets. Reductions in emissions of up to 40% would have a revolutionary impact on the Irish and European economies. It would help create the dynamic and the demand needed to drive new Irish indigenous clean energy sectors, leading to a massive increase in sustainable green jobs.”

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