Global climate deal needed to go beyond previously agreed industrial emissions threshold
Policymakers should avoid putting through new unilateral greenhouse gas (GHG) targets and burdens designed to go beyond the originally stated 20% reductions, Cefic urged in a policy statement issued in early March. This follows the European Commission’s adoption of the “Roadmap for moving to a low-carbon economy in 2050” and the “Energy Efficiency Plan 2011.”
The EU chemicals trade group said it would work along with all sectors within the Alliance of Energy Intensive Industries in Europe to meet the previously accepted challenge of an already ambitious 20% reduction target.
Cefic noted that unilateral efforts by the European Union to reduce GHG emissions by more than 20%, setting a new target in the absence of a global climate change agreement, would adversely affect EU industry competitiveness. They especially urged policy leaders to address the pending EU ETS implementation rules and guidelines, which are the main tools to reach the 20 per cent emission reduction target, as they prevent domestic EU manufacturers from pursuing future investment and planning.
William Garcia, Cefic Executive Director in charge of Climate Change and Energy, commented: “We are concerned that EU policymakers are going to unilaterally move the goalposts from 20% to 25%-30%. At this point, it’s counterproductive because it creates uncertainties in an already unstable, post-crisis business environment. Setting aside allowances in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, for example, would tighten the CO2 market and hamper the competitiveness of the European chemical industry.
“The European Parliament and Council must stick to their original targets and hold true to the 20% GHG reduction target by the 2020 deadline.”
Chemicals sector is an innovation catalyst for sustainable, lower-emission Europe
The chemicals sector is instrumental in delivering longer term GHG emissions reduction. It is an innovation catalyst for all industries throughout the value chain, helping them reduce their carbon footprint and providing solutions that reduce emissions while maintaining sustainable growth.
Analysis by Cefic concludes that large scale investments are needed to meet pressing emissions challenges. The group sees public-private investment partnership schemes as the best option, with project money sourced from “recycled” auction revenues from the ETS that are administered by EU member states.
Garcia concluded: “Cefic understands well-intentioned policy being developed towards 2050, but it’s clear that a technology jump is required to reach the challenging long-term GHG emissions reduction goals and to get to a sustainable, energy efficient economy in Europe.
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