Mixed reactions to emission targets

The European Union faces heated discussions over how member states will meet their targets on reducing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Last week (23 January) the European Commission unveiled targets for each member state to allow the bloc to cut total carbon emissions by 20% and increase renewable energy by 20% by 2020.

Germany, the country that secured the 2020 targets during its presidency of the EU last year, appeared to give the proposals a lukewarm response. Michael Glos, the economics and technology minister, said: "Substantial work will have to be done within the Council [of Ministers] and the European Parliament before these proposals are acceptable to Germany." He added that the issue of competitiveness had received "far too little attention" when the proposals were drafted and indicated that Germany would like to see better protection for energy-intensive industries.

But a spokesman for Germany’s permanent representation to the EU said that Germany was "pleased with the package", because of the concessions that the Commission had made on renewable energy, which will enable Germany to keep its system of feed-in tariffs to stimulate investment.

Initial reactions from the Nordic countries suggest that they will not dispute their targets, despite being given some of the heaviest shares of the burden. A Swedish official said that Sweden had been given the most expensive targets - its efforts are expected to cost around 0.79% of gross domestic product (GDP), compared to an EU average of 0.5% of GDP. The official added that the government thought that it "will manage, but it’s going to be tough". Sweden is expected to generate almost half of its energy (49%) from renewables by 2020. Connie Hedegaard, Denmark’s climate and energy minister, said that the targets for Denmark would be expensive, but added: "We want to be a leader in this area, so in that sense this is something we have to live up to."

But some member states look ready to dispute their targets. Bertie Ahern, Ireland’s prime minister, said that the targets raised "very serious economic and social issues for Ireland". Poland also has some misgivings about its targets. A Polish source said that the target for Poland to get 15% of its energy from renewable sources was "too ambitious when taking into account its practical realisation".

The Commission’s proposal to reform the emissions trading scheme will also be contested. The UK is seeking an amendment that would allow member states to set higher levels of auctioning unilaterally. And Germany wants to see more certainty concerning the number of free allocations of emission permits for energy-intensive industries.

The EU aims to put these proposals into law before the June 2009 elections for the European Parliament.

The European Union faces heated discussions over how member states will meet their targets on reducing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2).