European Union Well On Pace to Meet Its 2020 Emissions Targets

A report compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA) reveals the European Union is more than halfway to achieving its 2020 greenhouse gas emissions target.

The EU plans to have its collective emissions stand 20% below the amount produced in 1990 by 2020.  According to the EEA's greenhouse gas inventory report, the EU emissions were 11.3% below 1990 levels in 2008.  The report further highlighted that the EU's emissions have been on a downward trend since 2003.

The EEA states the combination of higher coal prices and a drop in the price for natural gas prompted more utilities to replace coal with natural gas, which reduced emissions.  Additionally, the adoption of renewable energy sources such as biomass, wind, solar, and hydropower increased significantly in 2008, further reducing emissions.

Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the EEA said, "The GHG inventory report shows the EU is well on track to meet its emission reduction targets with domestic policy measures only.  Our policies and tools seem to be working. We need to ensure the downward trend in emissions continues and that Europe boosts its climate investments."

Read the full story at the European Environment Agency: EU greenhouse gas emissions: more than half way to the '20% target by 2020'

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