Secretary of state for energy and climate change Ed Davey has once again made a plea to the EU to agree on a global climate deal which would see emissions halved by 2030.
Mr Davey suggested that EU member states should be allowed to meet carbon reduction goals using methods they deem most appropriate, instead of having specific and compulsory goals placed upon them.
He also added that the UK will not set specific targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency for 2030 – a subject that is currently being debated in Brussels.
“Europe should adopt an ambitious emissions reductions target for 2030, delivered in a flexible, technology neutral way, supported by a robust, reformed emissions trading system, and underpinned by a global agreement in 2015,” Mr Davey said at Residence Palace in Brussels on Tuesday (June 18th).
The energy secretary said there are a number of ways in which to achieve energy efficient goals, whether this is by adopting technology such as solar panels or wind energy, or even taking on new nuclear policies.
Although Mr Davey’s suggestions will be seen by some as a negative policy for renewable energy, he said this was far from the case. He also praised the EU for their progress in the technology, with 12 per cent added to the share of the energy mix in addition to an 18 per cent reduction in emissions – when compared to 1990 levels.
Not setting an official target for the reduction of emissions has been criticised by a number of businesses within the industry as well as in government, with Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond in particular critical of the UK government’s lack of an official target.
Mr Davey went on to say that the green economy will be pivotal in ensuring economic recovery for both the UK and the European market, especially in regards to both goods and services.
Citing statistics from the Confederation of British Industry, Mr Davey said that “in the UK, green businesses carve out a €142 billion (£121.17 billion) slice of the world market worth €3.8 trillion (£3.24 trillion)”.