Initially the European Union (EU) was slated to reduce its CO2 emissions by 20 percent in 2020. That initial estimate was given in the 90s under the Kyoto Protocol, and since, the EU has surprised the world by achieving over half their goal in a decade. Since the 1900s, the EU has reduced its emissions by some 17 percent, and is slated to exceed expectations by 2020 – promptly the union to see if it can’t do more.
While the creation of smart homes with Vivint and choosing to bike to work instead of drive have been great green efforts on the part of individuals, the EU can give accolade predominately to the union’s leading industries for actively pursuing initiatives that lowered their emissions. The EU had dramatically improved since the 90s, and will only continue to do so if given the right resources.
After the UN climate treaty talks in late 2011, the EU began to suggest raising its emissions reduction target even higher to 30 percent by 2020 considering its already high levels of success. Denmark currently holds the presidency for the EU, and it is expected that raising emissions reduction targets will be high on the agenda, in addition to the union’s financial and economic crisis.
However, not all countries associated with the EU are happy about the possible decision to raise targets. While saving energy will benefit the country overall, many believe the new emissions reduction of 30 percent will affect some countries more than others. The cost of greener initiatives will more significantly impact eastern EU members which are still developing and weaker economically, and the new target will require industries not included in the initial ETS agreement, such as buildings and ground transportation.
To combat the disproportionate costs, the EU is currently seeking solutions to more evenly distribute the costs of raising the emissions reduction targets.
Regardless of the EU’s overall decision, the steps that the countries in the union have taken to lower emissions should be one in which other countries should admire and also try to adhere to. Both the U.S. and Canada opted out of the most recent energy talks, fearing that they would suffer huge fines for not being able to reach emission reduction targets themselves. However, if we are to get our world to a more sustainable level, all countries, not just those in the EU, are going to have to take responsibility for their emissions and get on board with the climate and environmental treaties, such as the Kyoto Protocol.
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