Europe 'must keep climate ambitions high'

A group of more than 1,000 European cities in “energy transition” is urging the European Council to remain committed to ambitious climate and energy goals for 2030.

Energy Cities sent the message based on concerns that the European Commission’s latest proposal “lacks the necessary ambition to meet Europe’s climate and energy commitments for 2050.”

Sticking to ambitious targets would improve both citizens’ quality of life and EU competitiveness, the association argues.

“Seen as the world leader via its ‘3×20 by 2020’ package, Europe must keep ambitions high,” states an open letter sent by Energy Cities to Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council. “It is necessary for meeting the European Council commitment to reducing GHG emissions by 80 to 95% by 2050. It is an opportunity to translate EU climate and energy objectives into a multitude of actions at local level which would improve the quality of life of citizens and boost EU competitiveness.”

Signed by Eckart Würzner, president of Energy Cities and the mayor of Heidelberg, the letter also refers the council to an Energy Cities publication on “Empowering local and regional stakeholders to deliver the EU climate and energy objectives.” The document was designed to provide a framework to “optimize the actions of the local level.”

Created in 1990, Energy Cities represents more than 1,000 towns and cities in 30 European countries.