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Jon M Queen on the European Union’s Low Carbon Roadmap to 2050
Climate change policy advisor and green energy businessman Jon M Queen applauds the European Commission for its adoption of a nationwide program transforming the European Union into a low carbon economy by the year 2050. Described as a “cost-effective-pathway” to reach the EU’s objective of reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 to 95 percent of 1990 levels by 2050, the roadmap includes a comprehensive energy efficiency plan that reduces energy dependence for both public and private sectors of European nations.
Charged with new binding targets, the plan requires European governments to upgrade a minimum of 3% of their buildings each year, encourages private buildings to embark on regular renovations for energy efficiency performance, and focuses on the roll-out of smart grids and smart meters for public procurement.
For Jon M Queen and many others, making measures on the domestic level is key in reaching national targets. Providing the public with the necessary information that enables them to optimize their use of energy while maximizing savings is a huge step toward achieving widespread adherence in energy conservation.
“It should transform our daily lives and generate financial savings of up to 1,000 per household every year,” says European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger. “It should improve the EU’s industrial competitiveness with a potential for the creation of up to 2 million jobs.”
“The good news is we don’t need to wait for technological breakthroughs,” adds Eurpoean Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard. “The low carbon economy can be built by further developing proven technologies that exist already today.”
