What are the climate change Communication and the energy package trying to achieve?
The dual aims are to ensure global average temperatures do not rise more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to build a more energy-competitive, cleaner, low-carbon European economy. The EU cannot win the battle against climate change on its own but it can show leadership by setting a convincing example. The integrated energy and climate policy package does this. It confirms to the EU’s partners around the globe that action to reduce emissions will continue seamlessly after 2012 and that it is economically and technologically feasible. The Communication’s recommendations will give fresh impetus for concrete progress in the international negotiations on further action to combat climate change after 2012, when the Kyoto Protocol targets expire. An autonomous EU emissions reduction target will be a major contribution towards convincing the rest of the international community that the EU intends to shoulder its responsibilities, and thus towards encouraging them to do likewise. The Co
