Overview
The European Council summit in March 2007 committed the EU member states to radical greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction, energy efficiency and renewables targets. The Berlin Declaration issued shortly afterwards echoes the commitments made. Emissions reduction and renewable energy were also at the heart of the agenda for the G8 summit hosted in Germany earlier this month. The EU has also signalled its intention to play a leading part in negotiating the international agreement that will replace the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012. GHG emissions reduction, energy efficiency measures and the increased use of renewable energy will therefore play an increasingly important role in shaping policy at the EU level. Difficult negotiations and legislative action will be required, however, before these policy initiatives are translated into a new regulatory framework.
