Press Release: UK welcomes EU climate change proposals

The United Kingdom, on 23 January 2008, welcomed the European Commission’s ambitious proposals for tackling climate change and delivering a low carbon economy in Europe. The package contains proposals for a 20 per cent reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, increasing to 30 per cent when there is an international climate agreement; 20 per cent of total EU energy consumption to come from renewables by 2020; and measures to support the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) including up to twelve CCS demonstration projects. For the UK, the Commission’s proposals include: a reduction of 16 per cent in UK greenhouse gas emissions from sectors not covered by the EU ETS by 2020 from 2005 levels; for 15 per cent of the energy consumed in the UK to come from renewable sources by 2020; and for 10 per cent of road transport fuels to come from renewable sources, subject to them being produced in a sustainable way.

• Primary Source

United Kingdom: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform: Press Release, 31.1.08 http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=349197&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=True

United Kingdom: Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform: Heat call for evidence, January 2008 http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file43609.pdf

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