In this report CAN Europe elaborates on the numerous benefits that moving to a -30% 2020 EU greenhouse gas target will have on Member States’ budgets.
In May 2010 the European Commission investigated the effects of an independent EU move toward 30% emission cuts. It concluded that such a move would spur green job creation and innovation, reduce energy costs and dependency and mitigate health problems related to air pollution. In addition to the European Commission, different research institutions looked at the impact of enhancing Europe’s 2020 climate targets.
This report attempts to summarise the current state of knowledge on a number of issues related to a scenario where Europe moves from a 20% to 30% reduction target by 2020. It looks at jobs, competitiveness, innovation, cost savings, energy security and health, and maps out the costs and benefits of more ambitious climate policies. The abundance of evidence presented in this report makes more than a compelling case in favour of enhancing Europe’s 2020 climate action. Moving reduction targets from 20 to 30% now becomes an imperative for jobs, growth, energy and climate security.
CAN-Europe report – 30% Why Europe should strengthen its 2020 target