EU Loses It's Backbone

Last year I reported how the global recession had left the European Union (EU) in the position where it would comfortably meet it's target of cutting carbon emissions by 20%  by 2020. This gives the EU an opportunity to raise that target to 25 or even 30% for little or no extra pain compared with the original target. That would make their ultimate aim of 80% by 2050 far more achievable and cost effective.

Another bonus of getting ahead of the game like this, is that it would provide an example to the rest of the world (where Europe leads in CO2 measures, the world tends to follow), and underline their carbon cutting credentials.

By contrast, if they decided to stick with 20%, they would effectively be giving the go-ahead to the worst CO2 emitters to continue as normal (Thanks to the distorting effect the recession has had on the EU carbon trading system). In short, to stick with 20% would be weak and sends out the wrong signal to polluters.

But, guess what? The EU are planning to continue with 20%!!

Why? Apparently they've been lobbied by heavy industry.

More here.