EU Commissioner calls for European renewables target, and co-operation with Asia

EU Commissioner for Climate, Connie Hedegaard calls for a 2030 target for renewables in Europe, as she travels to Asia to extend green growth co-operation east.

In an interview with the Guardian Hedegaard urged for continued work in the renewables sector and extension of European targets by a decade to 2030.

It is the first time the EU has raised the issue looking beyond the current 20 per cent target for 2020, and follows concerns that the gas industry is actively lobbying the European Parliament.

While not specifying a new target, she told the Guardian: “We should be looking to avoid a lock-in to fossil fuels. We should be discussing a renewable energy target for 2030. We need to have ambitious targets. It would be one way to send a long-term price signal for renewable energy – that renewable energy is not just going to stop growing after 2020.”

Hedegaard has also travelled to Korea and Hong Kong this week (2-4 April) to promote green growth and emissions trading in the region.

Beginning in Korea, she met with government representatives, in Seoul, including Minister of Environment Lee Maanee and the Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-kyung, to discuss deepening cooperation between the EU and Korea on green growth and carbon markets.

The EU currently runs the world’s largest cap-and-trade market for greenhouse gases, opened in 2005, which includes 11,000 power station and industrial plants in 30 countries, and Hedegaard is keen to work any other countries who want to introduce similar schemes.

While in the country she also delivered a speech on low carbon economies leading to 2050 at the Ewha Woman’s University, calling Climate Change a “threat multiplier”, making a compelling argument for sustainable growth.

She said: “Even for those who are not convinced we have a problem with climate change, it is win-win policy to improve our livelihoods. To use resources more efficiently. Better air quality, better health, cleaner water and so on. Fighting climate change is all about that as well.”

Moving on to Hong Kong, Hedegaard will deliver the keynote speech at the 19th Consumer International World Congress, and attend a forum on ‘Climate Action in Europe and Hong Kong’.

During her visit she will meet with Secretary for Environment Edward Yau, as well as key business people including representatives from aviation and shipping.

 

Image: World Economic Forum | flickr