Commission plans for future carbon policy

The European Commission has published a green paper to gather views on developing a new framework for EU climate change and energy policies up to 2030

Under the 2050 low-carbon economy and energy roadmaps, which were published in 2011, the bloc needs to reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions by 40% on 1990 levels by 2030, to reach a cut in GHGs of 80-95% by 2050. This level of reduction is necessary in industrial nations to limit global warming to 2°C.

The new framework would replace the current EU one, which runs to 2020.

Early agreement on a structure for the next decade is necessary because long investment cycles mean that infrastructure funded in the near term will still be in place in 2030, says the paper.

It also notes that clarifying the objectives now for 2030 will help to create demand for efficient and low-carbon technologies.

In addition, a revised framework would inform the EU position ahead of negotiation on a new legally-binding international climate agreement.

Consultation on the green paper runs to 2 July 2013.