EU Calls for Deep Cuts on Greenhouse by 2020
Urban Ecology News. 2007.3.9
The European Union has called for cuts in greenhouse emissions by developed countries to 30% below 1990 levels by 2020.
The European Council, meeting this week, called upon developed countries to commit to collectively reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to around 30% below 1990 levels by 2020, with the aim of further reducing their emissions to 60% to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
The European Union will commit itself to the 30% cut by 2020 provided that other developed countries commit themselves to comparable reductions, and economically more advanced developing countries also contribute "according to their responsibilities and respective capabilities". Otherwise it will only commit itself to a 20% reduction.
The EU invites these countries to come forward with proposals for their contributions to the post-2012 agreement.
Measures proposed to to reduce emissions include:
- Strengthening and extension of global carbon markets.
- Development, deployment and transfer of the necessary technology to reduce emissions.
- Transforming the economy into a very energy efficient one.
- Action on deforestation.
- Addressing emissions from international aviation and maritime transportation.
Australia and Europe Compared
In 2004, emissions by the then 25 members of the European Union were 4,630 Mt, 6% down on 1990 (4,925 Mt), with per capita emissions at 10.1 t per capita (population: 460 m). A 30% cut on 1990 emissions by 2020 would take EU-25 emissions down to 3,448 Mt CO2e, or 7.2 t per capita (expected population: 480m).
Compare Australia's 2004 greenhouse emissions: 533 Mt CO2e, 5.3 % up on 1990 (507 Mt), with per capita emissions at 26.5 t CO2e (533 Mt for a population of 20.1m). A 30% cut on 1990 emissions by 2020 would take Australia's emissions down to 355 Mt, or 14.8 t CO2e (expected population: 24 m).
(Figures include land use change and forestry.)
Contraction and Convergence
To adequately respond to global warming, the world should reduce its greenhouse emissions to below 3 t CO2e per person per year (27 Gt per year for an expected population of 9 billion). (Adjust this figure according to new understanding about what it takes to slow global warming and how quickly we should slow it.)
Reducing Australia's per capita emissions 5% a year between now and 2050 would take it from a current 27 t CO2, through 14 t in 2020, down to 3 t by 2050. So taking up the EU call would put Australia on a good trajectory towards the 2050 per capita convergence target.
Links
Brussels European Council 8/9 march 2007 Presidency Conclusions (PDF)
Annual European Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990-2004 and Inventory Report 2006
Australia's Fourth National Communication on Climate Change, Australian Greenhouse Office, 2005