EU key to tackling climate change

The EU has a package of climate and energy measures which set three key objectives for 2020. They are:

1. A 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

2. An increased share of renewable energy to 20%.

3. Making a 20% improvement in energy efficiency.

Together these are known as the 20-20-20 targets.

EU leaders have committed to make the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change a priority for the EU. The EU has set itself the target of reducing emissions by 80-95% by 2050 in comparison to the 1990 levels.

The first package of measures brought in in 2008 set targets for 2020. The EU is making good progress towards these. To continue the momentum, a 2030 framework is needed to cover the decade thereafter.

The EU and its 28 member states are signatories to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol.