Editorial

EU must sharpen 2030 targets!

The EU must now sharpen its climate policy targets as a consequence of the international agreement in Paris last December. 196 governments agreed on the long-term target to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C compared with preindustrial times. This follows the conclusion of the scientific review by the United Nations during 2013–2015, which concluded that dangerous climate change would occur even below 2 degrees. The risks include threats to food security, low-lying islands and coastlines, and several global ecosystems.

There is a special concern about global habitats such as sea ice, glaciers, high mountains, boreal forests, tropical mountain rainforests, coral reefs and oceans that would not survive in their present state at 2 degrees warming. One example could be the Baltic Sea, and the possible risks are presented in this issue of Acid News (pages 1–4).

Climate Action Network (CAN International) is therefore demanding that we stay below 1.5 C. This is also the demand of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), which include more than 100 countries. Scientists have for example reported that the Greenland Ice Sheet could melt between 1.2 and 2 degrees global temperature rise.

The main demand of CAN International is to phase out all fossil fuel emissions and to phase in a 100% renewable energy future with sustainable energy access for all, as early as possible, but not later than 2050. This means that the EU, as one of the wealthiest regions in the world, for equity reasons, has to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions even earlier, by around 2030–2035, to give developing countries 15 extra years to phase out their use of fossil fuels by 2050.

Leading scientific and climate policy experts (1) therefore recommend that the EU should phase out the use of coal by 2025. Several countries in Europe, including Austria and the United Kingdom, have now taken such decisions. Such a coal phase-out plan is also being debated in Germany, as described in this issue (page 18), and the EU must now decide on a similar plan.

The development of carbon capture and storage schemes has failed and should not be promoted by the EU. The Norwegian example is a reminder of how a false strategy has created hope for 20 years and contributed to delaying climate action (see article on page 3 and the new APC 33 report published by AirClim). Public opposition to CCS is very strong in the EU, as described in the article on page 22. Furthermore, the viability of CCS for reducing industrial emissions has not been proven, and industry should instead work on alternative production technologies and methodologies.

In my opinion CO₂ emissions from energy production and land use, must be reduced to zero globally by 2035.The EU must therefore now also start to discuss the phasing out of natural gas, a fossil fuel. A new AirClim report presented on page 10 describes the current situation and the problems with the fossil gas industry.

Leading scientific and climate policy experts (1) are also suggesting that to avoid exceeding the 1.5 C target the EU should make sure all vehicles are electrified by 2035. The political decisions must be taken now by the EU to implement this transport policy proposal due to the long life of new vehicles.

The EU and the UN must also take steps to control emissions from bunker fuels and prepare steps to phase out fossil fuels from these sectors. Bunker fuels were not included in the Paris agreement even though CO₂ emissions from these fuels already accounted for 3–4 per cent of global emissions in 2012, and these emissions are expected to rise by 200 per cent. ICAO and IMO are extremely slow to decide about regulating emissions from these sectors and the EU and UN must therefore deliver strong regulatory decisions in this area now!

Reinhold Pape

https://newclimateinstitute.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/160222_klimaschu...

In this issue

A 1.5 target is needed to save the Baltic Sea

Effects of global temperature increases on the biodiversity of the Baltic Sea.

CCS in Norway – still a long way from the goal

The CCS project at Mongstad in western Norway was finally cancelled in 2013, causing sarcastic comments about “The Moon landing that failed”.

How to account for emissions of greenhouse gases from imported goods?

Carbon emissions have dropped in many rich countries, Sweden among them. Or is it just that the emitting industries have moved to China? A technical discussion is getting intensely political.

Member states opt for weakening air pollution targets

Compared to the Commission’s proposal, the relaxed targets agreed by member states could result in an additional 130,000 premature deaths by 2030.

The EU should phase out fossil gas

AirClim has published a new report (1) about the need to phase out the use of fossil gas as soon as possible in order to meet the climate targets agreed at the UN Paris Climate Conference in December 2015.

Sanctions missing for ship sulphur sinners

In the first year of stricter standards in the Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECA) of the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the English Channel, Swedish authorities took 441 ship fuel oil samples. They discovered 15 violations of the sulphur limit, but none of these resulted in fines or other types of sanctions.

New rules on emissions from medium combustion plants adopted

Despite a widespread agreement on the urgent need to cut emissions to improve air quality, existing installations are given very generous transition periods.

Cutting meat and dairy intake is beneficial for health, the environment and climate

Halving the consumption of meat and dairy in the EU would cut agricultural nitrogen losses by more than 40 per cent and GHG emissions by 25–40 per cent.

Sector targets for aviation and shipping wanted

In the absence of additional action, international shipping and aviation will be responsible for close to 40 per cent of global CO2 emissions by 2050.

Europeans still exposed to harmful air pollution

A new report by the European Environment Agency estimates that air pollution continues to be responsible for more than 430 000 premature deaths in Europe.

A new era for the debate on coal phase-out in Germany

2015 was not only the year of the groundbreaking climate agreement in Paris. It also marked a new era in political efforts on a more actively managed phase-out of power generation from coal and lignite mining in Germany.

Explaining vehicle emissions

A new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) provides a non-technical guide that describes why, for certain pollutants, vehicles can emit substantially higher emissions on the road than official emissions tested in laboratories.

CCS sidelined by public opposition

In the EU, coal power currently accounts for about one fourth of electricity generation.

Need to decarbonise transport

Policies needed to stimulate behavioural changes.

Main menu

Editorial

In this issue

A 1.5 target is needed to save the Baltic Sea

CCS in Norway – still a long way from the goal

How to account for emissions of greenhouse gases from imported goods?

Member states opt for weakening air pollution targets

The EU should phase out fossil gas

Sanctions missing for ship sulphur sinners

New rules on emissions from medium combustion plants adopted

Cutting meat and dairy intake is beneficial for health, the environment and climate

Sector targets for aviation and shipping wanted

Europeans still exposed to harmful air pollution

A new era for the debate on coal phase-out in Germany

Explaining vehicle emissions

CCS sidelined by public opposition

Need to decarbonise transport

Publications

Food for Thought

Northern forests, climate change and the UNFCCC

EU climate targets aligned with the Paris agreement’s 1.5°C objective

Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Collaborative-Learning project

Air pollution in Europe and children’s health

Climate Change: A Himalayan Odessey

No further discussion needed. The agreed global goal is to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C

Fossil-free electricity 2021

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