EU Climate Change and Energy Policy
Climate change is a big issue for WWF because it affects many aspects of our lives. The European Union is the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases and WWF is taking action to convince EU decision makers to reduce our emissions and help fight climate change.
Climate change is the greatest threat facing the world. A warming planet alters weather patterns and water supplies, seasonal growth for plants and ways of life for people and wildlife.Its impacts are already being felt all over the world and are also knocking on Europe’s door, bringing heat waves, forest fires, prolonged droughts, and extreme rainfall resulting in devastating floods in recent years.
To keep temperatures down, we have to cut greenhouse gas emissions drastically – by at least 80% by 2050, with a more immediate target of 40% by 2020. This would give a good probability of staying below 2° C warming, and would keep WWF’s goal of a 1.5° C maximum within reach.
The European Union’s Member States have endorsed the 2° limit, but the EU’s current targets only require a 20% cut in emissions by 2020, with a final objective of 80-95% by 2050.
The time to act is now
Political promises made so far are too weak to protect either people or nature.
The EU needs to recognise the urgency of the climate crisis, take responsibility and act now.
Turning away from unsustainable energy and towards a climate-friendly future is also an opportunity for the European Union to realise many economic and social benefits.
WWF's goal is for the EU to achieve 95% greenhouse gas cuts and 100% renewable energy supply from sustainable sources by 2050.
CONTACTS
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Jason Anderson
Head, EU Climate & Energy Policy
WWF European Policy Office
+32 2 740 09 35
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Audrey Gueudet
Climate and Energy Communications & Media Officer
WWF European Policy Office
+32 2 743 88 06
Climate and Energy Blog
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Knee-deep in you-know-what
It took a major storm striking America’s most densely populated coastline to draw attention to global warming during the recent presidential election, after months of deafening silence. In Europe, the reaction raised hopes that cracks might show in US politicians’ … Continue reading
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Re-energising Europe: the choices are ours
The choices we make about the resilience and sustainability of our energy system are of such central concern to all our lives that they must be informed by more voices than those of the great and the good alone. That … Continue reading
Latest news
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European Council must recognise smart markets, energy efficiency and renewables as key priorities
European Council must recognise smart markets, energy efficiency and renewables as key priorities MEDIA ADVISORY:
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Time to Seize Opportunity to Slash Carbon Emissions from Global Aviation
Environmental groups take to the streets to call on ICAO to agree on a global plan at upcoming meeting in Montreal Joint News Release: World Wildlife Fund, Équiterre, AQLPA and David Suzuki ...
LATEST POSITION PAPERS & PUBLICATIONS
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WWF Briefing paper: Re-energising Europe – The case for post-2020 renewable energy targets and support
The adoption of the “20-20-20” targets and measures on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and greenhouse gas cuts, this briefing paper argues, are expected to first stabilise, and then reduce ...
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WWF Briefing paper: Re-energising Europe with a post-2020 climate and energy package
Coming amid an increasingly active debate over what should follow current EU climate and energy legislation, WWF calls on the European Commission to reach a political agreement on the need for ...