Summary:

One of the world's most pressing challenges is climate change: the need to radically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while continuing to enable economic development, both in the European Union and worldwide is a combination that requires innovative action.

The EU, as one of the richest and most technologically advanced regions of the world, is already a leader in the field of sustainable development both within its borders and beyond. So far the leadership has been more one of words than of concrete actions. But actions are needed if we are to reach the targets that have been discussed. The EU has affirmed that at least a 15 30% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 will be needed to keep the temperature increase under 2 °C, and a deeper reduction by 60-80% may be needed by 2050.

To achieve these reductions it will be necessary to go beyond incremental improvements in energy efficiency, current life-styles and business practices. Improved energy efficiency for existing lifestyles, cars and domestic appliances may be enough to reach the initial Kyoto targets in 2012, but they will not be enough for deeper reductions. To achieve dramatic reductions of CO2 additional structural changes in infrastructure, lifestyles and business practice are necessary.

URL: http://www.etno.be/Portals/34/ETNO%20Documents/Sustainability/Climate%20Change%20Road%20Map.pdf