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EU plans 'industrial revolution' EU plans 'industrial revolution'
(30 minutes later)
The European Commission has unveiled a new energy strategy, calling on member states to cut emissions of greenhouse gases by at least 20% by 2020.The European Commission has unveiled a new energy strategy, calling on member states to cut emissions of greenhouse gases by at least 20% by 2020.
EC President Jose Manuel Barroso said there must be a common European response to climate change.EC President Jose Manuel Barroso said there must be a common European response to climate change.
New policies were needed "to face a new reality" - to make Europeans' energy supplies more secure, he said.New policies were needed "to face a new reality" - to make Europeans' energy supplies more secure, he said.
The urgency of the change was stressed by Russia's oil row with Belarus which hit EU states Germany and Poland.The urgency of the change was stressed by Russia's oil row with Belarus which hit EU states Germany and Poland.
The EU's civil service wants more investment in renewable energy, arguing that the old fuels have a political as well as clear environmental cost.The EU's civil service wants more investment in renewable energy, arguing that the old fuels have a political as well as clear environmental cost.
"We need new policies to face a new reality - policies which maintain Europe's competitiveness, protect our environment and make our energy supplies more secure," said Mr Barroso."We need new policies to face a new reality - policies which maintain Europe's competitiveness, protect our environment and make our energy supplies more secure," said Mr Barroso.
"Europe must lead the world into a new, or maybe one should say, post-industrial revolution, the development of a low-carbon economy.""Europe must lead the world into a new, or maybe one should say, post-industrial revolution, the development of a low-carbon economy."
95% of Germans believe that energy security is the top priority for the EU EU plan: What nations think Inefficient firms warned95% of Germans believe that energy security is the top priority for the EU EU plan: What nations think Inefficient firms warned
The report demands a 30% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 for developed countries in international negotiations.The report demands a 30% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 for developed countries in international negotiations.
But the EU should also adopt a unilateral commitment to reduce EU greenhouse emissions by at least 20% by 2020 as compared to 1990 levels.But the EU should also adopt a unilateral commitment to reduce EU greenhouse emissions by at least 20% by 2020 as compared to 1990 levels.
"This will send a clear signal on how seriously we take the future of our planet," Mr Barroso added."This will send a clear signal on how seriously we take the future of our planet," Mr Barroso added.
Mr Barroso also said it was unacceptable that the supply of energy from Russia through transit countries should be interrupted without prior consultation.Mr Barroso also said it was unacceptable that the supply of energy from Russia through transit countries should be interrupted without prior consultation.
He said this raised a real problem of credibility and Europe must act to guarantee that it did not happen again.He said this raised a real problem of credibility and Europe must act to guarantee that it did not happen again.
Environmental pressure group Friends of the Earth said the policy was "completely inadequate" and that it "failed to provide the low-carbon blueprint that is urgently required".
"If the EU is serious about tackling climate change it must make far greater cuts in its carbon dioxide emissions. The proposed 20% cut does not demonstrate any intention to stay below the two degree limit," Catherine Pearce, the group's international climate co-ordinator, said.
Binding targetsBinding targets
This is the first step towards a common energy policy, says the BBC's Europe editor Mark Mardell.This is the first step towards a common energy policy, says the BBC's Europe editor Mark Mardell.
There are three central pillars to this integrated energy policy, Mr Barroso said.There are three central pillars to this integrated energy policy, Mr Barroso said.
  • A true internal energy market
  • Accelerating the shift to low-carbon energy
  • And energy efficiency through the 20% target by 2020
  • A true internal energy market
  • Accelerating the shift to low-carbon energy
  • And energy efficiency through the 20% target by 2020
EU energy chief Andris Piebalgs also said 20% of all EU energy should come from renewable power by 2020 and 10% of vehicle fuel from biofuels.EU energy chief Andris Piebalgs also said 20% of all EU energy should come from renewable power by 2020 and 10% of vehicle fuel from biofuels.
EU - emissions and energyEU - emissions and energy
The EU wants to make these targets binding for the first time, he said.The EU wants to make these targets binding for the first time, he said.
It also wants to make sure all new power stations are carbon neutral in 13 years (they should be built in such a way that carbon can be captured and buried) as well as ensuring there is a big increase in renewable power like wind and wave energy.It also wants to make sure all new power stations are carbon neutral in 13 years (they should be built in such a way that carbon can be captured and buried) as well as ensuring there is a big increase in renewable power like wind and wave energy.
Without such investment and energy efficiency measures, the report predicts that EU energy imports will rise from 50% of consumption to 65% by 2030, requiring increased reliance on potentially unpredictable sources.Without such investment and energy efficiency measures, the report predicts that EU energy imports will rise from 50% of consumption to 65% by 2030, requiring increased reliance on potentially unpredictable sources.
Internal marketInternal market
The EU wants to fully open up the existing energy market to enable half a billion citizens to get their electricity or gas from anywhere else in Europe.The EU wants to fully open up the existing energy market to enable half a billion citizens to get their electricity or gas from anywhere else in Europe.
HAVE YOUR SAY Better to adapt to the climate change then fight it David Zimlin, Dunedin, Florida, USA Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Better to adapt to the climate change then fight it David Zimlin, Dunedin, Florida, USA Send us your comments
Mr Barroso proposed stopping power generation and power supply being owned by the same company - very controversial in France and Germany, says our Europe editor.Mr Barroso proposed stopping power generation and power supply being owned by the same company - very controversial in France and Germany, says our Europe editor.
To that end, the review calls for a pan-EU regulator.To that end, the review calls for a pan-EU regulator.
The package of measures will have to be approved by European governments before it can come into force.The package of measures will have to be approved by European governments before it can come into force.
Ministers are likely to debate the commission's proposals in March.Ministers are likely to debate the commission's proposals in March.
In recent years the EU has been the most powerful political voice urging targets on reducing greenhouse gas emissions beyond the current Kyoto period, which expires in 2012.In recent years the EU has been the most powerful political voice urging targets on reducing greenhouse gas emissions beyond the current Kyoto period, which expires in 2012.
But at the latest UN climate meeting its attempts to get new targets debated met with failure.But at the latest UN climate meeting its attempts to get new targets debated met with failure.
Critics say the EC's demand that all developed countries across the world adopt a goal of cuts in the order of 30% by 2020 is unfair because people in India and China pollute a fraction as much as individuals as those in the West.Critics say the EC's demand that all developed countries across the world adopt a goal of cuts in the order of 30% by 2020 is unfair because people in India and China pollute a fraction as much as individuals as those in the West.