A Short Guide to Climate Change Risk by Arnell Nigel;

Author:Arnell, Nigel;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
Published: 2016-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

EUROPEAN UNION

The European Union influences actions within member states through directives and regulations, and the EU is itself a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol. The greatest effort has been directed so far on seeking to reduce emissions. The cornerstone of this has been the ‘Climate and energy Package’ (CARE), adopted by the European Parliament in 2009.25 this set the so-called 20-20-20 targets, committing the EU to a 20% reduction in emissions by 2020 (relative to 1990), to raising the share of EU energy consumption produced from renewable resources to 20%, and to improving energy efficiency by 20%. It has been implemented through a series of directives relating to emissions trading (defining the European union emissions trading System), energy efficiency, renewable obligations and the development of carbon capture and storage. Other directives setting energy efficiency standards for transport and specific types of equipment, along with the Biofuels directive mandating an increased substitution of biofuels for fossil fuels, contribute to the targets. In 2011 the European Commission proposed a ‘roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050’, which proposed greater targets for emissions reductions (40% by 2030, 60% by 2040 and 80% by 2050) and more specific sectoral targets. Although approved by the European Parliament, the roadmap was blocked by Energy Ministers (specifically Poland) in 2012. The European Commission therefore presented a ‘2030 Framework’ in January 2014, which is basically a revision of the 2050 roadmap: it sets a target 40% reduction by 2030, but does not look further ahead.

The EU adopted an Adaptation Strategy in 2013, following a White Paper in 2009. Adaptation decisions are typically taken at national, regional and local levels, so rather than set specific targets and standards the EU’s Adaptation Strategy has three aims. It promotes action by member states (encouraging states to adopt adaptation strategies – 15 had done so by January 2014), seeks to ‘climate-proof’ action at the EU level by mainstreaming adaptation into sectoral policies and ensuring Europe’s infrastructure is made more resilient, and supports ‘better informed decision-making’ by making information and guidance available (through the Climate-ADAPT platform26). Support includes funding for building capacity in institutions in member states. ‘Climate-proofng’ includes incorporating the risks posed by climate change into agricultural and water management policies, for example, and also infrastructure building standards; the EU is currently considering how to incorporate climate change into the EN Eurocode standards for the design of buildings and infrastructure.

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