Plaid MEP Jill Evans has welcomed proposals from the European Commission announced today to tackle climate change and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Ms Evans was in Brussels for the announcement by European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. He set out a range of proposed new laws for reducing the EU's greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020.

In Wales the Welsh Assembly Government has set a very ambitious target of a 3% reduction per year in greenhouse gases up to 2011 and set up a Climate Change Commission of which Jill is a member. A report last year claimed that Wales has the highest level of carbon emissions in the UK and one of the highest in the developed world at 14.2 tonnes of CO2 per person compared to 8.8 tonnes in England.

Responding to the European Commission proposals, the Plaid MEP said:

"I welcome some of today's proposals but a 30% cut in emissions is needed if we are to make a difference, as agreed by many scientists. The 20% target for energy produced from renewables by 2020 is a step towards a renewables based economy although, again, we wanted a higher target set. The important thing now is that these targets are taken very seriously by governments and industry and that, in addition, energy saving and energy efficiency are given high priority.

"We are facing an enormous challenge but the One Wales government has the political will needed to tackle this issue. With the support of our Climate Change Commission and our newly appointed young Climate Change Champions, I believe that Wales can become a leading player on a European level."

Note

The five main proposals in the European Commission's 'Energy Package' to reduce carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 and be ready for a 30% cut dependent on international agreement are:

- an updated Emissions Trading System;

- specific, binding national targets;

- a new approach to promote renewable targets, again including binding national targets;

- new rules to stimulate carbon capture and storage;

- new state aid rules.