Blog: EDF Europe

EU climate policies after 2020

Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, rapporteur of the new ESR proposal (photo credit: Sebastiaan ter Burg)

Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, rapporteur of the new ESR proposal (photo credit: Sebastiaan ter Burg)

On 20 July, the European Commission published two proposals for regulations dealing with emissions outside the EU Emission Trading Scheme for years 2021-30. After the summer break at the European Parliament, this week we learnt the names of rapporteurs and committees members who will be responsible to take the proposals through the legislative process.

The new for mechanism setting emissions budgets, known as the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), will require Member States to cut their emissions from transport, buildings, agriculture and waste sectors and other sources of non-CO2 greenhouse gases. Besides that, it will newly cover emissions from land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF).

Unlike the previous emissions budget regulations in Europe that allowed lower income Member States to actually increase their emissions, the ESR will require all countries to reduce their emissions compare to 1990 levels (apart from Bulgaria who can, as the country with lowest GDP per capita in the whole Union, keep their emissions at the same level as in 1990). The shared target is a 30% reduction of non-ETS emissions but the individual targets and reduction trajectories differ among Member States according to their wealth and emission levels between 2016-18. Our analysis (attached below) shows that a key determinant of whether the EU is able to meet these new targets is the degree to which additional action is taken in relatively rich, big emitting countries such as Germany.

The new proposal includes flexibilities used in the past (such as trade between countries) and adds a couple of new ones, specifically an option for some Member States to transfer a part of their allowances under the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme into ESR, and an opportunity to claim extra allocations from LULUCF removals and use them to compensate emissions from other sectors.

We have prepared a short briefing report summarising these proposals and highlighting the key areas of interest. The document can be downloaded here: ESR briefing report.

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Environmental Defense Fund Europe’s Launch Event in London

Baroness Bryony Worthington, Executive Director, Environmental Defense Fund Europe (photo credit: Jim Winslett)

Baroness Bryony Worthington, Executive Director, Environmental Defense Fund Europe (photo credit: Jim Winslett)

On Monday night, Environmental Defense Fund Europe welcomed guests to its launch event at the historic venue of Guildhall in London. Hosted by Baroness Bryony Worthington, Executive Director of Environmental Defense Fund Europe, the evening provided an introduction to our organisation, its work and its team followed by a lively discussion of how we will achieve change in Europe.

“Whatever the political situation in the UK and Europe, I’m looking forward to moving the needle on a range of issues, from fisheries reforms to tackling climate change,” Bryony Worthington told guests before hosting two panel discussions.

One debate featured Rt Hon Lord (Greg) Barker of Battle and Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP. The discussion began with the impact of Brexit, with Greg Barker commenting, “It will force Westminster to take responsibility for the environment… Thank god for the Climate Change Act.”

Ed Miliband added, “What we’ve got to fight for is a vision of a new relationship with Europe which has environmental protection at the heart.”

(L-R) Baroness Bryony Worthington, Rt Hon Lord Greg Barker of Battle, Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP (photo credit: Jim Winslett)

(L-R) Baroness Bryony Worthington, Rt Hon Lord Greg Barker of Battle, Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP (photo credit: Jim Winslett)

Audience at the Environmental Defense Fund Europe launch event (photo credit: Jim Winslett)

Audience at Environmental Defense Fund Europe launch event (photo credit: Jim Winslett)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The other panel debate featured Carl Ferenbach, Diane Regas and Steve Hamburg of Environmental Defense Fund. The panel provided an insight into the work of Environmental Defense Fund in the US over the past 50 years and how this will now expand into Europe. “In the US, we work with both Republicans and Democrats. Here in Europe we will work with all parties,” commented Diane Regas. “Europe has been a leader on climate change. There are a lot of reasons for that which we can take back to other parts of the world.”

(L-R) Baroness Bryony Worthington, Diane Regas, Carl Ferenbach, Steve Hamburg (photo credit: Jim Winslett)

(L-R) Baroness Bryony Worthington, Diane Regas, Carl Ferenbach, Steve Hamburg (photo credit: Jim Winslett)

Steve Hamburg went on to explain that collaboration and partnerships is crucial to the work of Environmental Defense Fund saying, “We can’t do the science by ourselves, but we can together. And where we can help is to make sure that science is brought to effect and results in good policy.”

Carl Ferenbach was keen to stress that Environmental Defense Fund would not shy away from tackling the big issues in Europe: “We have to all aspire to find solutions to the very large problems… Working through the complexities of Europe and finding the solutions which work will be incredibly enriching.”

The evening concluded with a stunning performance by Bishi, who performed two songs and lit up Guildhall with an incredible visual display.

Bishi (photo credit: Jim Winslett)

Bishi (photo credit: Jim Winslett)

The event took place during Climate and Business Week in London.

Bryony Worthington and Environmental Defense Fund Europe would like to express their gratitude to all those who helped with the event and attended. Special thanks also go to the High Meadows Foundation for sponsoring the event and CHI&Partners for producing the film which was shown at the start of the evening. Thanks also go to Bishi, Matt Harden for the visuals and the Bowfins for the further musical accompaniment.

 

 

 

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Baroness Worthington to Lead Environmental Defense Fund Europe

March 14, 2016 – Baroness Bryony Worthington has joined Environmental Defense Fund Europe as its new Executive Director. She is the first to hold this position for the European affiliate of the international nonprofit organization, Environmental Defense Fund.

Bryony joins Environmental Defense Fund after a career spent campaigning for environmental solutions in a range of organizations, including the civil service, where she helped draft the UK Climate Change Act 2008; UK energy firm Scottish and Southern Energy; Friends of the Earth; and most recently as founder and Managing Director of the Sandbag Climate Campaign. She was appointed a member of the House of Lords in 2010 and served as a Shadow Minister for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, stepping down in late 2015 after leading two energy bills through the Lords.

“Under Bryony’s leadership, Environmental Defense Fund will bring a fresh voice to the European environmental debate — a voice for practical solutions grounded in science and harnessing the power of markets,” said Board Chair Carl Ferenbach. “We are honored and delighted that Bryony has chosen to join us and bring her considerable skills to bear as a champion for effective environmental policy.” Ferenbach, who cofounded Berkshire Partners in 1986, served as a Managing Director through 2011, and has served as chairman of the board of Environmental Defense Fund since 2008, and chairman of the board of its European affiliate since its formation in 2015.

“No single entity can do what’s needed to address today’s increasingly complex and global environmental problems,” said Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp. “Solving these problems requires collaboration on a far greater scale, not only among nongovernmental organizations but also among partners ranging from investors and inventors to fishermen, government officials and business executives. Bryony is uniquely qualified to help Environmental Defense Fund bring these voices to the table from across the political spectrum.”

The Rt Hon. Lord Barker of Battle, who serves on the Environmental Defense Fund Europe board, also hailed the appointment. “I’m delighted Bryony and I will be working on the same team, promoting practical, non-ideological solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental problems,” he said. “By combining the latest scientific evidence with smart policy-making, we can ensure capital flows to where it makes the biggest impact. I’m looking forward to working with Bryony to establish Environmental Defense Fund Europe as a progressive force for change.” Greg Barker recently served as Energy Minister in the coalition government and is now actively involved with a range of organizations promoting sustainable energy solutions.

Globally, Environmental Defense Fund focused on four key areas: climate and energy, oceans, ecosystems, and human health. In Europe, the focus is currently on developing and implementing solutions in the areas of marine fisheries and clean energy—two critically important issues where Europe plays a central role and where Environmental Defense Fund brings strong expertise. Our global goals are set out in the strategy document Blueprint 2020 and our Annual Report 2015 describes recent achievements.

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Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org), a leading international nonprofit organization, creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. EDF links science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships. Connect with us on EDF Voices, Twitter and Facebook.

Environmental Defense Fund Ltd is a registered charity (1164661) in England and Wales. 

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