Press release

EU climate plans point to 3C temperature rise

7 March 2011

A 'low-carbon roadmap to 2050' being published by the European Commission tomorrow (Tuesday 8 March 2011) will not cut EU greenhouse gas emissions fast enough to prevent dangerous climate change and could lead to a three degree rise in global temperature, says Friends of the Earth.

New analysis by the green campaigning charity shows that the EU roadmap to 2050 - widely expected to include a target for cutting EU emissions by 25 per cent by 2020 - will leave the world with only a five per cent chance of avoiding a two degree rise in global temperatures. This is the 'tipping point' that scientists say should be avoided to prevent the worst impacts of climate change such as more frequent severe weather and the loss of species and habitats.

 Friends of the Earth has long been urging the European Commission to strengthen its 2020 target to 40 per cent, to be achieved without buying carbon credits from abroad. The charity says deeper emissions cuts must be made earlier on if the EU is to deliver on its pledge of cutting emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

Friends of the Earth's Head of Climate Change Mike Childs said:

"The EU's plans for tackling climate change are totally inadequate - they may have a map but they aren't going fast enough or far enough.

"These plans could lead to a three degree rise in global temperature, spelling disaster for the environment, extreme weather in Britain - and misery for some of the world's poorest people.

"The EU must show international leadership by slashing its emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2020, without buying carbon credits from abroad.

"With rising fuel prices this can be achieved by shifting from oil to renewable sources of energy, and using energy more wisely - creating new jobs and setting us firmly on course for a cleaner, greener future."

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. The EU has pledged to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. For the EU to achieve this, the EU is setting itself milestones to achieve by 2020 and 2040. Scientists tell us we must aim to cut our emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2020 if we are to avoid dangerous climate change. 
2. An energy efficiency plan is also expected to be published by the European Commission tomorrow, which will show that the EU will miss (by more than half) its target to reducing energy use by 20 per cent below 2005 levels by 2020. According to the EU, meeting the target will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 740 million tonnes (equivalent to 20 per cent cuts below 2005 levels), cut annual energy bills by up to €1000 per household, and create up to two million new green jobs. But current EU plans put off strong action on energy efficiency until 2013.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust