Briefings on Climate

6 November - reviewing key climate and energy policies and the role of the European Commission

This session introduced the 2008 package of climate and energy policies focusing in detail on the development, next steps and future implementation of the EU emissions trading Directive and the new renewable energy Directive. The latter included a detailed analysis of the challenges associated with biofuels and use of biomass for energy.

The session culminated with insights from Jorgen Henningsen, a renowned expert on EU climate action, considering where next for EU climate action, including Copenhagen and beyond. His key messages included:

  • that the coming years will require considerable additional effort on the part of the Parliament to push for action on climate
  • that Copenhagen is now unlikely to agree a clear way forward
  • that the EU 20 per cent emissions target for 2020 is very low compared to business as usual and that we should be substantially more ambitious if we are to deliver our commitments to emission reduction for 2050.

Presentations and materials are available to download below:

In support of participants the following materials are available: