The call follows the release by the European Commission of its analysis of options to move beyond 20% greenhouse gas emission reductions.
EWEA has issued a briefing to MEPs, Commission and Member State officials that “urges Council and European Parliament to agree 30% domestic greenhouse gas reductions, in order to maintain Europe’s technological and industrial leadership in renewable energy technologies.” EWEA’s briefing states that “the EU has been the cradle of renewable energy innovation, particularly wind power, and the European wind industry represents a growing number of jobs (192,000), significant and growing export opportunities, as well as increased energy security and competitiveness.”
EWEA Chief Executive, Christian Kjaer, says: “The move to 30% would give a very strong signal to investors that Europe means business when it talks about green growth and a sustainable economy. The offer to go to 30% did not work in the Copenhagen climate summit but it would work in keeping the EU at the forefront of the green technology race.
“Europe is a world leader in wind energy but faces serious competition from China, the US, Japan, South Korea and India. I would hate to see Europe losing out because it was lulled into a false sense of security due to the failure of the climate negotiations.”