According to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey, Europe should focus on cutting carbon emissions instead of revising renewables targets.
During Reuters' Global Energy and Environment Summit, held on Monday, Davey was questioned on the UK’s standpoint when it comes to reaching the binding carbon targets for 2050. Up until now the main focus has been on 2020, when the EU is expected to increase its share of green energy in the mix to 20 percent.
“While we think the renewables target for 2020 is a very good target and we believe we are on track to meet it, in terms of another renewables target, we have to think about what we are trying to achieve here,” he said.
“We should be moving towards outcome targets. Carbon emissions should be the key target.”
The UK currently has a national target of reducing CO2 emissions by 34 percent by 2020, and by at least 80 percent by 2050. During the Reuters' Summit Davey did not specify what level of new EU carbon target the UK might support, but said it already has “one of the most ambitious, if not the most ambitious.”
Davey did however outline the UK’s support for alternative low-carbon technologies, stating that a new renewables target could be unfair on other forms of power, such as nuclear and carbon capture and storage (CCS).
He also said the UK Government was ready to support the exploration of shale gas, but that it would take a cautious approach to ensure fracking is carried out safely.
“I don't think we should close down any options, but to proceed with developing shale gas, one has to make sure one has a very, very robust regulatory regime,” Davey concluded.
