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Growth and Jobs

6. Making it green

The EU recognises that climate change is one of the gravest threats to the planet. There is a more than 50 percent chance that global temperatures will rise during this century by more than 5°C. On current projections, energy and transport policies would mean that rather than falling, EU emissions would increase by around 5 percent by 2030. With current trends and policies the EU's energy import dependence will jump from 50 percent of total EU energy consumption today to 65 percent in 2030. In addition, the internal energy market remains incomplete which prevents EU citizens and the EU economy from receiving the full benefits of energy liberalisation.

The 2007 Spring European Council agreed on a set of ambitious, but realistic targets that will support global efforts to contain climate change and its most dire consequences. The targets are to achieve for the EU by 2020 a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 and a 20 percent share of energy from renewable sources in the EU’s energy mix.

Developing environmentally friendly technologies and making public contracts greener will in the medium-term help boost sustainable economic growth, notably by making Europe a leader in these crucial areas where all countries will over time need to follow.

Making every EU citizen aware of how to live, work, eat and travel in a more environmentally friendly way is another key priority. One initiative to promote greater awareness is the You Control Climate Change website, full of advice and information on promoting individual awareness of the need to think and act green.