European Parliament Rejects Ambitious Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets

Strategic Insights -

The European Parliament has voted against adopting a report that called on the EU to increase its ambition for cutting greenhouse gas emissions from 20% to 30% by 2020 from 1990 levels. This decision was met with disappointment from WWF-UK, who maintain that the 30% target for 2020 would be the bare minimum required for Europe to contribute its fair share to reducing global emissions. The proposed target was watered down by amendments supported by conservative groups within the European Parliament, including UK Conservative MEPs who ignored UK Government policy. The vote was close, with 258 in favor, 347 against, and 62 abstentions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Parliament rejected a report calling on the EU to increase its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target from 20% to 30% by 2020 from 1990 levels.
  • WWF-UK expressed disappointment at the decision, citing that the 30% target would be the minimum required for Europe to contribute to reducing global emissions.
  • UK Conservative MEPs supported amendments that undermined the original report's ambition, despite the UK Government policy supporting a 30% target.
  • The vote was close, with 258 in favor, 347 against, and 62 abstentions.
  • 72 leading European businesses signed a declaration calling on the EU to increase its climate ambition and move to a 30% target by 2020.
  • Keith Allott, Head of Climate Change at WWF-UK, criticized UK Conservative MEPs for not voting in line with their own party policy, saying "serious questions need to be asked of Martin Callanan and his fellow Conservative MEPs as to whose interests they represent."

Statistics:

  • 258 MEPs voted in favor of the report, while 347 voted against, with 62 abstentions.
  • 72 leading European business signed a declaration calling on the EU to increase its climate ambition.
  • The proposed 30% emissions reduction target for 2020 would be 10% more ambitious than the current 20% target.
  • The European Parliament vote was postponed from its original scheduled date on 22 June 2011.

Sources:

  • WWF-UK press release, "WWF-UK response to European Parliament vote on greenhouse gas emissions targets" (5 July 2011)
  • European Parliament report "On the analysis of options to move beyond 20% greenhouse gas emission reductions and assessing the risk of carbon leakage" (5 July 2011)
  • M2 PressWIRE article, "WWF-UK Express Disappointment over Climate Vote" (5 July 2011)