Europe to Safeguard Economy with New Emission Norms
The EU has resolved to slash greenhouse gas emissions and force proper energy market competition. The EU announced that it would cut the emissions of greenhouse gas by at least 20 percent from 1990 levels by 2020 in an endeavor to thwart "irreversible and possibly catastrophic climate change".
The plan which has to be approved by EU governments and the European Parliament includes enhancing production of renewable fuels, reducing energy consumption, plummeting the dominance of big energy utilities and lessening dependence on foreign suppliers.
For Europe, this cut could entail higher summer temperatures, a decline in the fertility of arable land, a decline in Mediterranean forest, reduced snow at ski resorts and more flooding. The decision however, is the fallout of an increase in global temperatures by five degrees Celsius this century. The European Commission urged the other countries to follow suite and move to low carbon economies.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said, “The European Commission has put forward very important proposals today both on climate change and protecting the environment but also on energy security and supply. I do think it's extremely important that we as a country make sure our energy supply is secure for the long term. That in my view needs a diverse supply of energy."
Environment Secretary David Miliband expressed happiness on the plan to cut emission level by 20percent and suggested that this should be seen as a "springboard to catalyze the more ambitious international action necessary to avoid dangerous climate change." He however expressed anxiety that Europe had set itself a lower target cut than it had proposed for other developed nations.
The European Commission’s hard-hitting suggestions bode well for the Britain’s energy consumers, who have paid the price for lack of competition in continental Europe. At the same time it is bad news for the dominant energy giants who, now, must abandon their throttle hold on their national energy markets and compete in the new European energy market.
