International — Greenpeace welcomes the call by top European companies for the EU to up its game on climate change, as environment ministers meet in Luxembourg today to discuss EU climate targets. The call by 29 companies, including Vodafone, Philips, Alstom and Google, exposes a rift in EU industry lobby group Business Europe and questions its legitimacy to represent the business sector on climate issues, said Greenpeace.
In their joint declaration addressing European governments, business chiefs call on the EU to increase its unilateral 2020 target to cut carbon emissions from 20% to 30% (at 1990 levels). The declaration states that greater EU climate action will boost economic growth, create new jobs, strengthen competitiveness and improve energy security. [1]
But in a letter dated 11 October, Philippe de Buck, director-general of Business Europe, claiming to represent most European businesses, warns EU ministers against any increase in climate targets. All signatories of the call for a 30% target are members of Business Europe.
Greenpeace EU climate policy director Joris den Blanken said: "Industry lobbyists shoot down attempts to boost the EU's climate ambition, but they no longer represent the whole sector as more and more companies across Europe want greater climate action. Smart companies want to see the EU lead the global race for green technology and break free of business as usual. Dirty lobbyists in Brussels present climate action as a choice between the environment and the economy, but they are denying people and businesses new opportunities for jobs, green tech and services."
Den Blanken added: "Business Europe, the Brussels industry lobby, claims to represent European companies, but is in fact the lobbying front group for a handful of oil and chemical industries holding back European competitiveness."
Notes:
[1] The joint declaration can be found here: http://www.theclimategroup.org/our-news/news/2010/10/13/businesses-call-for-eu-policy-move-to-30-per-cent-emissions-cuts-by-2020/. The full list of companies includes: Acciona, Alstom, Asda, Atkins, Barilla, BNP Paribas, BSkyB, Capgemini, Centrica plc, Climate Change Capital, Crédit Agricole, DHV Group, Elopak, Eneco, F&C Asset Management, GE Energy, Johnson Controls Inc, Kingfisher, Google, Marks and Spencer, Nike, Philips Lighting, SKAI Group of Companies, Sony Europe, Standard Life, Swiss Re, Tryg, Thames Water, and Vodafone.