European countries need to triple efforts to decarbonise

The launch of what claims to be the first up-to-date tracker of European emissions says countries need to triple their efforts if they want to decarbonise by 2050.


A new tracking tool launched today by WWF and renewable energy business Ecofys reveals only about a third of the action needed to put European Union countries on a path towards a low carbon economy by 2050, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95%, is currently underway.

The report and which available online by clicking here is called the Climate Policy Tracker for the European Union and claims to provide for the first time an up-to-date snapshot of greenhouse gas emission controls across the EU using a state-by-state and sector-by sector analysis.

The Climate Policy Tracker reveals large differences in levels of ambition and best practices across EU countries when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions; however the report shows that overall the results are weak.

Ecofys director of energy and climate policy, Niklas Höhne, said: “The Climate Policy Tracker is a powerful tool that measures the impact of policies and their effectiveness.

“It allows people to easily identify the policy sectors which need more attention and where action is most effective in reducing emissions.”

WWF European Policy Office head of climate and energy policy, Jason Anderson, said: “The deep cuts needed for 2050 have to happen across the economy, member States need to scan their full policy portfolios to address weaknesses.

“They also need to commit to improving their implementation of EU policies, since 40% of results hinge on European legislation.”

The tracker results have an encouraging side as well: if member states were to follow the example of the highest-scoring country in each policy area and sector, they would achieve two-thirds of the required effort – double the current average.

Luke Walsh

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