Compromise at the EU climate summit

Energy

The result of the climate summit is settled: 40 percent is the magic number. Greenhouse gases have to be cut by at least 40% by 2030, measured against benchmark 1990 levels.

The 28 EU-member-states found an acceptable compromise at the climate summit on thursday night: Until the year 2030 the greenhouse gas emission must be lowered by 40 percent – compared to the figures from 1990 and increase energy efficiency and renewables by at least 27%. Even though the debates between the climate protectors and the industry were heated, at the end, they reached an agreement. “It was not easy, not at all, but we managed to reach a fair decision that sets the EU on an ambitious but cost-effective climate path”, said EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy.

However, the result is criticized by both sides: The Green Party and the environmental organisations are unhappy as they think the agreement that has been made is simply not enough. From the industry’s pint of view on the other hand, the climate change objectives are over-the-top and will scare away future investors. “The difficulty is, that not all the states are in the same situation. Neither concerning their wealth, nor their situation with renewable energies”, stresses the French President François Hollande. Poland and other eastern European countries are supposed to receive financial help in order to be able to meet the climate goals.

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