Press release - October 28, 2014
Luxembourg/Brussels - The EU must step up its carbon target ahead of the climate summit in Paris in December 2015, said Greenpeace commenting on today’s environment Council. Environment ministers met to agree the EU’s position for the international climate negotiations, based on last week’s deal on 2030 climate and energy targets [1].
Ministers want to reach a legally binding agreement in Paris that will limit global temperature increase to below two degrees Celsius. They also pledged to review national emission goals and the EU targets by the end of 2015.
Greenpeace EU climate policy director Joris den Blanken said: “Last week’s deal on 2030 targets is just an opening bid. The EU wants its climate policies to become a model for global green development, but is decelerating its commitments, while China and the US are catching up fast. EU governments should increase their carbon emission pledge”.
According to a Greenpeace analysis [2], Chinese coal consumption is decreasing for the first time this century. Ten out of 34 Chinese regions are already aiming to have their coal consumption peak and decline by 2017 and have banned the construction of new coal-fired power plants. China has also launched seven regional carbon market pilot schemes in order to gain experience ahead of a nationwide scheme.
In the United States, coal consumption has dropped by one fifth compared to 2007. About half of US reductions in coal use are the result of enhanced renewable energy and energy efficiency investments.
Over the next months, the United States and China are expected to table emission reduction plans that will become operational after 2020. Last week, EU leaders agreed a target of “at least” 40 percent domestic emission reductions for 2030, keeping open the option for further action ahead of the Paris summit. The EU also adopted a binding share of at least 27 per cent renewable energy by 2030 and an indicative target of least 27 percent energy savings, which could be increased to 30 percent after a review in 2020.
Notes to editors:
[1] EU leaders pull handbrake on clean energy, Greenpeace press release, 24 October 2014.
[2] Greenpeace Energy Desk UK, 22 October 2014: China's coal use actually falling now (for the first time this century).
Contacts:
Joris den Blanken - Greenpeace EU climate policy director: +32 (0)2 274 19 19, 
Greenpeace EU press desk: +32 (0)2 274 1911, 
For breaking news and comment on EU affairs: www.twitter.com/GreenpeaceEU
Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace. Greenpeace does not accept donations from governments, the EU, businesses or political parties.