UK steps up calls for EU to embrace tougher carbon target

Energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne will today attend his first meeting of EU environment ministers where he is expected to reiterate the UK government's view that Europe should sign up to more ambitious emission reduction targets.

The ministerial meeting in Luxembourg is scheduled to discuss new research from the European Commission, which suggests that the recession means that the cost of increasing the EU's emission reduction target for 2020 from 20 per cent to 30 per cent would be lower than previously thought.

The report revealed that the estimated cost of meeting the bloc's 20 per cent target had fallen from €70m (£58m) to €48m, and as a result the additional cost of stepping up to the proposed 30 per cent target stands at just €33bn, or 0.2 per cent of GDP.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Huhne said he would use the forum to "make clear the new UK government’s support for ambitious European action on climate change, including a 30 per cent cut in EU emissions".

He added that the Commission's recent analysis provided a "welcome starting point" for discussion on how to implement a higher target.

“We believe a move to 30 per cent is achievable, right for the climate and right for our economies as Europe focuses on a sustainable economic recovery," he said. "We can put Europe ahead of the game by taking new low-carbon economic opportunities."

He added that the more ambitious target would help ensure that Europe plays a leading role in delivering an international climate treaty by demonstrating to developing countries that the continent is serious about delivering deep cuts in carbon emissions.

His comments came as a consortium of green business groups, involving the Climate Group, the Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change and WWF Climate Savers Programme, released a joint declaration arguing that adopting the 30 per cent target would boost the European economy.

The three groups, which jointly represent companies providing 20 million jobs and more than $11tn (£7.5tn) in market capitalisation, argued that there is "no high-carbon, low-cost future for Europe”, adding that a more ambitious emissions target would lead to increased investment in clean technologies, the creation of new jobs and improved levels of energy security.

"It is increasingly clear that agreeing a more ambitious climate policy is in the EU’s economic and strategic self interest," said Mark Kenber, international policy director at the Climate Group. "European business leaders are calling for bolder commitments from political leaders to guarantee greater energy security and economic growth, and new jobs and export opportunities."

The declaration was backed by a number of blue chip firms, including F&C Asset Management, Johnson Controls, Philips Lighting, Nike and Sony Europe.

"Now is not the time for the EU to step on the brakes and give up its leadership position," said Garrett AG Forde, chief executive of Philips Lighting. "Instead, the EU should speed up the transition to a low-carbon society, as we firmly believe there is a wide range of benefits for consumers, the environment and the economy."

His comments were echoed by Hannah Jones, vice president of sustainable business and innovation at Nike, who stressed that the company would like to see the EU adopt more demanding emission targets. "We would like to see the EU being ambitious in its climate strategy because business needs certainty and a level playing field to help spur green jobs and unlock innovation essential to creating technology and infrastructure solutions for a sustainable future," she said.