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6 October 2020.
Introduction:
The European Union Parliament voted updating its climate target to reduce emissions by 60% by 2030 as compared to 1990 levels. Earlier EU had set a goal of reducing 40% emission by 2030.
Highlights:
- The World Wildlife Fund and other Non-Governmental Organizations were insisting on at least 65% emission reduction by 2030.
- The voting was held under the presidency of Germany. Certain countries such as Poland were reluctant towards the set target.
- Still criticisms prevail over the fact that the target should be 55%. This is because, according to certain countries, a target of 60% might induce employment problems.
European Union Emissions Trading Scheme
- It was the first large greenhouse gas emission trading scheme. Till date it remains the biggest.
- The scheme was launched in 2005.
- It is considered as a major pillar of EU Energy Policy. Between 2008 and 2016, the scheme helped EU reduce its emissions by 3.8%.
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Global Carbon Project Report, 2019
- The report says that the growth rate of carbon dioxide emission being emitted from carbon dioxide reduced by 2.1%.
- This was mainly because of decline of use of coal in Europe and USA. It was also due to reduction in coal use in India and China.
- Thus, the emission cuts of European Union has major influence.
- According to the report, Germany was one of the top ten countries of European Union.
- The other top ten emitters were China, USA, India, Japan, Russia, Iran, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Canada and South Korea.
- European Union ranks third.
India’s Emission Target
The following are India’s NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions)
- To achieve the target of 40% of cumulative electric power installed from non-fossil fuel- based energy resources by 2030
- To reduce emissions by 33% to 35% by 2030 as compared to that of 2005.
India has fixed these targets based on the clauses of Paris Agreement.