Environment: Deeper emissions cuts would pull Europe out of economic mire - by Will Nichols

More demanding greenhouse gas emissions targets would help spur Europe's economic recovery, rather than damage the bloc's prospects as some critics have claimed.

That is the conclusion of a major new study released yesterday by Germany's Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), which predicts upping the bloc's mandatory emission reduction target from 20 per cent to 30 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 would increase European investment levels from 18 per cent to around 22 per cent of GDP.

The report claims that by 2020 the additional investment would help create up to six million extra jobs and increase GDP by up to €620bn, compared to the current target. It concludes that far from exacerbating the economic downturn, "post-crisis Europe can revitalize its economy by tackling the climate challenge".

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Bloomberg.com: France, Eastern Europe Make Progress Toward EU Climate Accord - Katarzyna Klimasinska

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France, Eastern Europe Make Progress Toward EU Climate Accord - France, Eastern Europe Make Progress Toward EU Climate Accord - Katarzyna Klimasinska

France and nine eastern European countries moved nearer to a compromise on a new European Union climate change agreement, after a Polish-led coalition of new member states won a pledge for more exceptions. “We have managed to make some progress,” French President Nicolas Sarkozy said today after a meeting with Eastern European leaders in Gdansk, Poland. “Despite the financial crisis, none of the member states questions the target.” The EU is seeking to reduce fossil fuel emissions by cutting quotas of allowed pollution and pushing power producers to buy the carbon dioxide emission permits now allocated largely for free. The EU wants to introduce purchases under a so-called auction system in 2012. Poland, which gets 93 percent of electricity from coal, has previously threatened to block changes, saying they would boost inflation and hamper economic growth.

France, current holder of the 27-nation EU’s rotating presidency, doubled the exception period for Polish power utilities, so that they wouldn’t have to buy all the permits until 2019, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said today.

The EU aims for a deal by year-end, saying an accord among rich and poorer European nations would encourage the U.S. and China to sign up to a new United Nations treaty. Governments worldwide have gathered in the Polish city of Poznan to negotiate a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. “Europe must be an example for others,” Sarkozy said today.

Fair Home: Portugal Commits To Huge Electric Vehicle Deal - by Alan Harten

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Portugal Commits To Huge Electric Vehicle Deal - by Alan Harten

Nissan and Renault France have signed a historic agreement with Portugal for the sale of electric vehicles, in order to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emission levels by around 20%. This would assist the country in reaching the European Unions emissions regulations by 2020. The deal calls for the two car manufacturers to begin delivery of large numbers of electric vehicles at the beginning of 2011.

As part of the agreement, Portugal will build over 300 charging stations which will be completed in 2010 before the first vehicles arrive, avoiding the chicken and egg situation that is prevalent in most other countries where electric vehicle sales are held back by a lack of places to charge the cars.

www.bbj.hu: Maneka Gandhi say: India won't follow Europe in CO2 emission cut

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Maneka Gandhi say: India won't follow Europe in CO2 emission cut

Former Indian environment minister Maneka Gandhi has criticized the US for not joining the Kyoto Protocol and says India will not follow Europe in carbon dioxide gas emission reduction as energy consumption is already very low in the country.

The 27-member European Union in March agreed on a 20% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, according to INEP news agency. She said coal-produced electricity consumption will increase in India but if the country at this junction could go to renewables such as solar and wind energy, „I think we could head off the CO2 crisis. Otherwise we are going to go smack-bang into it”. Asked to comment on the US position on the post-Kyoto regime where Washington says it will not cut gas emissions unless India and China do the same, the environmental activist replied: „I am quite certain that America is using us just as an excuse.