I’ve been meaning for some time to comment on the European Commission’s Climate action and renewable energy package. The EU has committed to reducing its overall emissions to at least 20% below 1990 levels by 2020, which would be scaled up to 30% under a new global climate change agreement if other industrialised countries make comparable efforts. It has also set itself the target of increasing the share of renewables in energy use to 20% by 2020.

The proposed measures include:

• an improved emissions trading system (ETS) covering more emissions and allowing firms in one EU country to buy allowances in any other;
• an emission reduction target for industries not covered by the ETS (e.g. buildings, transport, waste) so that everyone is contributing;
• legally enforceable targets for increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix – the targets will reflect each country’s individual needs and its potential;
• new rules on carbon capture and storage and on environmental subsidies.

Powerful stuff: hopefully this will give the renewables industry in the UK a shot in the arm, but there are also plenty of sticks to push industry towards a low carbon future.