Europe climate pledge fails the 2°C test

06 March 2015
by foeeurope -- last modified 06 March 2015

​The European Union today announced the level of climate action it plans to pledge at the global climate talks in Paris (COP21) later this year. The emissions cuts agreed by European environment ministers fall far short of Europe’s fair share of the action needed to avoid dangerous climate change, says Friends of the Earth.

Asad Rehman, Senior Campaigner on International Climate at Friends of the Earth said:

"This limited ambition from the European Union means that it has surrendered its chance to lead from the front on the inevitable shift away from dirty energy.

"Both people and the planet will suffer as the EU has ignored the climate science and failed to pledge its fair share of global effort.

"The poorest and most vulnerable countries, which have done the least to cause climate change, will be hardest hit as this pledge does not include any of the necessary commitments on climate finance.

"The EU should be investing in transforming our energy systems, protecting our food systems and preventing adverse weather impacts - which would bring huge benefits including jobs, health improvements and protection of all our homes and communities." 

The European Union's pledge is for cuts in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 40% by 2030. This is the level of cuts already announced last year and does not represent any increase in effort from Europe ahead of the Paris talks. Nor does the pledge cover any financial or technological support for countries on the front line of climate change impacts.

Individual countries such as the UK, Germany and France can commit to more ambitious individual climate pledges based on their fair share of effort that includes firm commitments on climate finance and adaptation support.

Key points

• The EU will pledge to cuts its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% on 1990 levels by 2030. 
• According to its own data it has already delivered 19% of that target by 2015.
• The EU pledge will therefore deliver a future 21% cut over the next 15 years.  
• The level of cuts being pledged was already announced at the EU Council last year (Oct 23/24 2014).
• The level of cuts does not represent any increase in effort from Europe ahead of the Paris talks. 
• The EU pledge doesn't include any pathways to increase obligations on climate finance.
• The EU pledge doesn't include any actions on loss and damage.
• The EU pledge fails to include any steps on adaptation.

Friends of the Earth Europe is the largest grass-roots environmental network in Europe, uniting more than 30 national organisations with thousands of local groups.

Friends of the Earth Europe