European Union chiefs have been urged to set a tough target to cut 55% of emissions from the energy sector and heavy industry by 2035.
A report from think tank Policy Exchange says the ambitious cap on carbon emissions is necessary to prevent new coal-fired power stations being constructed and ensure Europe meets climate change goals.
But the report has also warned against setting new renewable building targets for 2030, claiming renewable energy was more expensive in tackling carbon emissions than alternatives such as switching to gas power.
“The EU has to decide if it is serious about tackling climate change,” said the report’s author, Simon Moore.
“That means setting an ambitious target which will deliver a clearer carbon price and then allowing low-carbon technologies to compete – not picking favourites. The ETS should be the backbone of such a system.”
Yesterday in a speech in Brussels, the UK Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said the Goverment supported a strong overall target for the EU to cut its emissions 50% by 2030 if a global deal on tackling climate change is agreed, and 40% if not.
But he said the UK opposed any new renewables target for 2030 as “inflexible and unnecessary”, although he insisted the coalition remained “very pro-renewables”.
“I see renewable energy having a long and prosperous future in the UK and across Europe way beyond 2020, and in fact well beyond 2030.
“Yet renewables aren’t the only way to decarbonise energy – from energy efficiency to new nuclear, from carbon capture and storage to renewable heat, there is strength and sense in a diverse, mixed energy strategy. Renewables are part of the solution, but not the whole solution.
“Countries should be free to pick the energy mix they prefer, and not be penalised for the choices they make – including on whether they choose nuclear to deliver their emissions reductions,” he said.
At the moment, the cap on emissions is only set up to 2020, with some signals about what reductions might be required by 2025, Policy Exchange said.
An ambitious target of 55% emissions cuts by 2035 compared to 2005 levels from energy and heavy industry are needed to drive measures that keep the bloc on track to deliver 80% to 95% carbon reductions planned for 2050, the report said.
The EU is currently discussing what targets it should put in place for tackling climate change by 2030.
For carbon cuts to be cost-effective the EU should not bring in a new renewables target as part of the 2030 package, Policy Exchange urged.
Recommended for you
