The European Union (EU) soared past its 2020 carbon cutting goal six years early, according to EU environment report released on June 21, 2016. Greenhouse gas emissions in 2014 were 4.1% lower than the previous year and 24.4% below the 1990 baseline. The 2020 target is a 20% cut.

The biggest savings were in manufacturing, power generation and home heating (helped by a warm winter). They outweighed increases in CO2 from road transport and potent warming HFC gases from air conditioners and fridges. Campaigners warned the next milestone, a 40% cut by 2030, was not ambitious enough to sustain the pace, however.

Despite overachieving at home and striking an international climate deal in Paris, the bloc does not have consensus for increasing ambition next decade. Wendel Trio, director of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, said: “The fact that the EU seems to be on track to overshoot its target for 2020 by 10% shows that its climate policies are out of touch with reality. “The findings demonstrate that the EU could easily increase its climate target for 2030 as a contribution to reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement.”

Europe’s contribution rests on two pillars: a carbon market for power stations and heavy industry, and national allocations for the rest. Environment ministers on Monday discussed the need to review ambition in light of Paris, but did not agree on concrete measures.

Countries including France, Germany and the UK, spoke in favor of strengthening the goals, but poorer central and eastern European states objected on cost grounds.

What this means to you
The European Union (EU) soared past its 2020 carbon cutting goal six years early, according to EU environment data released on June 21, 2016. Greenhouse gas emissions in 2014 were 4.1% lower than the previous year and 24.4% below the 1990 baseline. The 2020 target is a 20% cut.

MIRATECH can help
Contact MIRATECH to learn about emission controls for stationary engines.