Russia and the industrialized member countries of the European Union (EU) are some of the only nations in the world to have announced tangible emissions reductions targets months ahead of the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
Although a legally binding climate treaty isn’t likely to happen this year, the EU and Russia stand by their targets and hope for an agreement in the months after the conference. Here’s an overview of their latest plans:
• European Union: The EU vowed to slash its emissions by 20 percent by 2020. If other regions agree to major reductions, it will increase reductions to 30 percent, the Associated Press reports. In October, member states agreed to contribute money to a global fund to assist developing countries tackle climate change, The New York Times reported.
• Russia: Reuters reported that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev promised that the country would reduce emissions by 25 percent from 1990 levels by 2020. As the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, that is considered a major commitment.
• France and Germany: French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel jointly expressed concern about diminishing support for global greenhouse gas reductions. Merkel urged countries to commit to “international oversight of each country’s obligations” during the first half of 2010, reported the Associated Press.
When it comes to committing to emissions reductions, it’s clear that Europe is ready for the challenge – and we’re confident that clean coal technology will play a major role in meeting those high standards. In the meantime, tell us what you think of Europe’s emissions commitments in the comments.
The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) is committed to the idea that America can have the affordable, reliable electricity we need, with the clean environment we want. ACCCE’s Behind the Plug blog is the place for up-to-date news and analysis on clean coal technology developments and energy policy progress.