CO2 Reduction beyond 20% (Communication)

It is to be welcomed that the Commission does not favour an additional carbon reduction by 30% instead of 20% by 2020. However, it is alarming that the Commission keeps this option open. For while going it alone would incur costs to the EU, it would not generate any benefits in terms of climate policy. Against this background, it is comprehensible why, according to the Commission’s projection, the EU should bear almost the double costs for climate action in 2020. Particularly, in view of the latest economic crisis, the economy should not be burdened with additional expenses.