Press release - Published:
12 Nov 2009 - A report by the European Environment
Agency released today shows that the European
Union and all Member
States but one are on track to meet their
Kyoto Protocol commitments to limit and
reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Whereas the Protocol
requires that the EU-15 reduce average emissions
during 2008–2012 to 8 % below 11000 levels,
the latest projections indicate that the
EU-15 will go further, reaching a total
reduction of more than 13 % below the base
year.
Commenting on the findings,
EEA Executive Director Professor Jacqueline
McGlade said:
"It is encouraging
that Europe's climate-changing emissions
are expected to continue decreasing, outperforming
the objectives set by the Kyoto Protocol.
Such an accomplishment should encourage
all countries to agree on much larger reductions
of global emissions, sealing a global deal
in Copenhagen this December. Commitments
to deep emission cuts are urgently needed
to preserve our chances to keep planetary
temperature increases below 2ºC."
The EEA report shows
that the reductions in the period 2008–2012
will be achieved through a combination of
existing and additional policies, the purchase
by governments of credits from emission-reducing
projects outside the EU, the trading of
emission allowances by participants in the
EU emission trading scheme (EU ETS) and
forestry activities that absorb carbon from
the atmosphere. The trading scheme primarily
covers large carbon-emitting industries,
which represent about 40 % of EU greenhouse
gas emissions.
Looking further ahead,
almost three quarters of the EU's unilateral
target to cut emissions to 20 % below 11000
levels by 2020 could be achieved domestically
(i.e. without purchase of credits outside
the EU).
The report highlights
the importance of the EU ETS in helping
Member States meet their targets. It also
stresses, however, that governments need
to focus on reducing emissions in the sectors
not covered by the ETS, such as transport,
agriculture and households.
How could the EU achieve
the projected reductions?
The report foresees a variety of factors
contributing to the EU-15's total reduction
of more than 13 %:
Existing policies and measures for the period
2008–2012 could account for 6.9 percentage
points of the total reduction.
If Member States implement additional measures
as planned, the total reduction could reach
8.5 %, although this will largely depend
on combined efforts in four main emitting
countries (France, Germany, Spain and the
United Kingdom).
The use of Kyoto's flexible mechanisms by
governments could contribute an additional
2.2 percentage points reduction.
Absorbing carbon dioxide through enhanced
carbon sinks (e.g.improved forest management)
will contribute with an additional 1 percentage
point reduction.
Purchase of emission allowances and credits
by EU ETS operators is expected to deliver
a further 1.4 percentage point reduction.
Emission reductions may be furthered by
economic recession
Five EU-15 Member States (France, Germany,
Greece, Sweden and the United Kingdom) have
already reduced domestic emissions below
their targets. Only Austria expects to fall
short of its commitment under current conditions
and will have to intensify its efforts to
reduce emissions in non-ETS sectors.
All other Member States
and EEA member countries with emissions
targets under the Kyoto Protocol anticipate
that they will meet their commitments.
Member States' projections
have started to take into account the recent
economic downturn but the report finds that
GHG emissions may still be overestimated
in the short term. As such, the recession
could bring about further cuts in emissions.
