Save energy save money save the climate local

Save energy, save money, save the climate – local and regional actions CEMR seminar on climate change in the context of the EU Sustainable Energy Week 31 January 2007 EU climate change policies: mitigation and adaptation. Where to draw the subsidiarity line in climate change and sustainable energy policies? Matti Vainio European Commission DG Environment

Key Objectives Climate Change and Energy Package l Meeting the 2°C objective: m In international negotiations GHG reduction target of 30% by 2020 for developed countries (vs. 1990). m. A firm, independent commitment to achieve at least 20% GHG reduction by 2020 for EU-27 (vs. 1990) l Perspective of Kyoto Protocol: m 2012 -8% (EU-15) m Today -5% (EU-27) -1% (EU-15)

An Energy Policy for Europe l Energy efficiency (eg. cars, appliances, buildings) m l Renewable energy: 20% mandatory objective by 2020 m m m l l m l differentiation of targets necessary between Member States flexibility in target setting within a country between sectors includes minimum biofuels target of 10% by 2020 Sustainable power generation from fossil fuels: aiming at near-zero emissions of new plants by 2020 New steps to reach internal market - options for unbundling and regulatory powers: m l to be improved by 20% by 2020 important for functioning EU ETS decrease hurdles for renewables Nuclear: Member States’ choice Towards a European strategic energy technology plan

Global Participation l l The 2 C objective: Global GHG emissions need to peak around 2020 EU & Developed countries: 30% GHG emission reduction target by 2020, compared to 1990 levels Developing countries: Reduced growth asap, absolute reductions after 2020 Deforestation: halt within two decades and then reverse

Global carbon market • Firm independent target = long term signal for investors in ETS • Review EU ETS • Link it to compatible systems • Global emissions peak around 2020: global carbon market decreases investment costs with a factor 3. • Proposals to increase market signals in developing countries: • Improve and widen CDM • Improved access to financing (EBRD, GEEREF etc. ) INVESTMENT COST GLOBAL GDP

Benefits and Costs l l l “Winning the Battle” & Stern Review: benefits of limiting Climate Change outweigh costs of action Costs of inaction: 5%-20% of global GDP (Stern Review) Costs of action for the EU (2030): m m l -30% target with global participation: -0, 19% annualised GDP -20% independent target: -0, 02% to -0, 09% annualised GDP Does not include co-benefits: m m Increased energy security Improved competitiveness through innovation Health benefits from reduced air pollution Limits on climate change

Do we need to draw lines Where to draw the subsidiarity line in climate change and sustainable energy policies? Can you draw a line between national, regional and local policies?

Importance of EU level action Internal market l Cross-border issues, eg transboundary air pollution, greenhouse gases l Make a difference at global level l m establish leadership in climate change (eg carbon market) m speaking with one voice

Importance of regional and local action: making reduction concrete l Emission reduction m Infrastructure m Transport m Public l procurement Adaptation m Infrastructure m Regional and local spatial planning m Building standards

Importance of local action l Energy efficiency m engaging the broad public m building codes and practices, enforcement m Public procurement (building standards) m Infrastructure (heat networks/district heating) l Sustainable transport : local level crucial m urban planning m transport planning – promoting and organising public transport m public procurement (transport fleet, fuels) m congestion charging (eg London) – parking fees

Importance of local action l Renewable energy m Building standards m Local, decentralised in nature m Also a number of benefits are local : employment, new businesses, air quality… m Local level important for planning purposes and engaging/convincing the public l Awareness raising – close to the citizen

Conclusions l Climate change is happening m Need l l l to adapt We need to act at all levels Complementarity of action, EU, National, Regional, Local levels Co-benefits of action m Reduce CO 2 emissions m Reduce air pollution m Save money m Make local communities better places to live

More information l Climate change: http: //ec. europa. eu/environment/climat/future_action. htm l Energy: http: //ec. europa. eu/energy_policy/index_en. htm