In a cross-party resolution, the European Parliament yesterday urged the United Nations climate change summit in Doha, Qatar next week (COP 18) to spur Europe and the rest of the world to step up action on climate change.
MEPs warn that current actions being taken by governments around the world are not sufficient to limit global warming to 2°C.
The Kyoto Protocol, which expires at the end of the year, should be renewed to bridge the gap until a new global treaty can be agreed, says the resolution, and the EU should aim for a 30% cut in emissions by 2020.
“It is in the EU’s own interest to aim for a climate protection target of 30% by 2020, thus creating sustainable growth, additional jobs and decreasing the dependency on energy imports,” reads a statement, which was agreed by 331 to 306 votes.
The call to up the EU’s 2020 emissions reduction target has been under debate for some time, bolstered by support from the UK, France, Germany, and Denmark.
The European Parliament hopes that by taking the initiative on the issue in Doha next week could help drive agreement to renew the Kyoto Protocol and lay the foundations for a new agreement.
The resolution by the European Parliament was adopted by 485 votes to 109, with 45 abstentions.
But the Parliament also voted this week to reject an outright ban on shale gas exploitation, instead calling for robust regulatory regimes to be put in place to ensure that environmental risks are addressed.
For further information:
www.europarl.europa.eu/
www.cop18.qa/
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Article source: http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5573/
