What are the other benefits of limiting climate change?
The Commission’s recent Action Plan for Energy Efficiency demonstrates that there is a solid economic case for policies that increase overall resource use efficiency, even before the accompanying emissions reductions are taken into account. The Commission’s impact assessment shows that EU action to tackle climate change would significantly increase the EU’s energy security. Oil and gas imports would each decrease by around 20 % by 2030 compared with the ‘business as usual’ case. Action on climate change also reduces air pollution because they share many of the same sources. For example, reducing CO2 emissions in the EU by 10 % by 2020 would generate enormous health benefits estimated at €8-27 billion. Such policies will therefore make it easier to attain the objectives of the EU’s strategy on air pollution. Similar benefits exist in other countries. By 2030, the US, China and India are projected to import at least 70 % of their oil. Geopolitical tensions could rise as resources become
