Yesterday saw the European Commission publish the European Green Deal which outlines the Commission’s ambitions for energy and climate policy over the course of the next presidency. The publication sets out 50 clear actions across the economy to move towards Net Zero emissions by 2050, and seeks to increase the EU’s emissions reduction target for 2030 to “at least 50% towards 55%” in time for international climate ambition discussions at COP26 hosted in Glasgow in November next year.
Whatever the relationship between the UK and the EU in the future, SSE strongly supports increasing the 2030 EU-wide target for emissions cuts from 40% toat least 55% compared to 1990 levels and the European Climate Law is a clear step forward. Bold, international action is critical to put the continent on a pathway to reach net zero by 2050.
Ahead of next year’s COP26, it is vital that Europe shows leadership on the issue of the Climate Change and this package clearly helps. It is also equally important that the UK also demonstrates leadership on this issue in the run up to next year.
Over the years ahead, SSE looks forward to engaging with key stakeholders as the European Green Deal progresses and as the UK itself prepares for COP26. Both home and abroad we need clear and ambitious targets, investment-friendly policy frameworks and clear delivery plans to enable net zero carbon emissions in the UK, the EU and further afield. As one of both the continent’s leading low carbon infrastructure companies, SSE looks forward to playing its part and welcoming the world to Glasgow next year.