On 23 October, member states sealed a deal that commits
the EU two binding targets: (1) To cut carbon emissions by at least 40% at 1990’s level; (2) To drive renewables in its
energy mix up to at least 27%; and a
non-binding target to curb its energy use by at least 27% by 2030. The EU 2030
package is hailed as a ‘good’ step forward, but not yet a ‘great’ step towards
the UN climate negotiations in Paris (COP 21) next year. Amid late night
applause of state leaders at Brussels, French President François Hollande said
the deal would “send a clear message to big polluters such as China and
the United States…to agree on a global legally binding agreement.” His remark
could be a motion of debate.
