BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27
By Leman Zeynalova - Trend:
Twelve associations in Europe call for 2030 targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) intensity of gas and scale up of renewable gas, Trend reports citing Eurogas association, which also supports this proposal.
With the 2030 Climate Target Plan, the Commission proposes to raise the EU's ambition on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to at least 55 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. This is a substantial increase compared to the existing target upwards from the previous target of at least 40 percent.
Raising the 2030 ambition now helps give certainty to policymakers and investors, so that decisions made in the coming years do not lock in emission levels inconsistent with the EU’s goal to be climate-neutral by 2050.
The new proposal delivers on the commitment made in the Communication on the European Green Deal to put forward a comprehensive plan to increase the European Union’s target for 2030 towards 55 percent in a responsible way. It is also in line with the Paris Agreement objective to keep the global temperature increase to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to keep it to 1.5°C.
The EU needs binding 2030 targets to reduce the GHG intensity of gas consumed and increase demand for renewable gas, according to a joint letter shared with policy makers.
“The 2030 targets we are advocating for would send clear signals to investors in terms of decarbonising gas and scaling up renewable gases. These signals are urgently needed - we cannot afford to wait to act.” said James Watson, Secretary General of Eurogas.
“If the proposed 2030 targets are adopted the GHG intensity of the gas consumed in the EU will be reduced by at least 20 percent compared to 2018 levels. This would be achieved through increased use of renewable and low carbon gas. At the same time, renewable gas demand would increase to at least 11 percent of gas consumed, which would boost the development of the renewable gases,” said Eurogas.
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