Higher EU energy efficiency and renewable energy targets enable greenhouse gas emissions reductions of more than 50% in 2030

An assessment of greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 associated with a 30% renewable energy target and 30-40% energy efficiency targets. The EU has put forward a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target of ‘at least’ 40% by 2030, compared to 1990 emissions levels. Current plans are to achieve this by reducing energy demand by at least 27% and achieving a renewable energy share of at least 27% in gross final energy consumption. However, the agreement reached at the COP21 in Paris stressed the importance of achieving deeper emissions cuts in order to keep global temperature increases below 1.5 °C, whereas the EU’s 40% target is in line with 2 – 2.4 °C. The European Commission is currently preparing proposals for the revision of greenhouse gas, energy efficiency and renewables legislation. Ecofys – commissioned by Friends of the Earth Europe – has calculated the impacts of higher energy efficiency and renewable energy targets.