Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

EU Aims To Be 'Climate Neutral' By 2050 (bbc.com)

Posted by msmash on from the greater-good dept.

AmiMoJo writes: The European Union says it is aiming to become the first major economy to go 'climate neutral' by 2050. Under the plan, emissions of greenhouse gases after that date would have to be offset by planting trees or by burying them underground. Scientists say that net-zero emissions by 2050 are needed to have a fighting chance of keeping global temperatures under 1.5C this century. The EU says the move will also cut premature air pollution deaths by 40%. The EU says that this can be done with existing technologies such as solar and wind energy which would have to be ramped up to provide 80% of electricity. Energy efficiency measures such as home insulation would also need to be boosted to reduce energy consumption by half by the middle of the century.

8 of 205 comments (clear)

  1. Interesting approach by JaredOfEuropa · · Score: 4, Funny

    have to be offset by planting trees or by burying them underground.

    How does burying trees underground help reduce emissions?

    --
    If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
    1. Re:Interesting approach by XxtraLarGe · · Score: 5, Funny

      have to be offset by planting trees or by burying them underground.

      How does burying trees underground help reduce emissions?

      If they bury the trees, they can't be cut down to be burned, duh!

      --
      Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
  2. Assuming.... by Zorro · · Score: 4, Insightful

    There will even be an EU in 2050.

    1. Re:Assuming.... by AmiMoJo · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Brexit has pretty much killed off the other "leave" movements in the EU. Everyone has seen that the milk and honey fantasy was impossible. They know their politicians won't do any better, and see how the EU has presented a united, strong front the whole way through.

      There will be some economic harm, but in some ways Brexit has actually been a benefit to the EU. As well as discouraging anyone else thinking of leaving, it's created an opportunity to reform and move ahead without Britain holding it back.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    2. Re:Assuming.... by dargaud · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yes. The brits have always wanted the butter with the butter's money. They kept asking for 'exception' on all the disadvantages while keeping all the advantages of EU. They should have been kicked out of EU long ago. Well, it's done now, I wish them well, but I'm not holding my breath for them.

      --
      Non-Linux Penguins ?
  3. talk is cheap by e432776 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    My observation is that governments around the world, at all levels, are great at making pronouncements, less great at accomplishing the stated goals. Recent example, note EU not on track: According to the UN, most major polluters are not on track to meet their Paris goals.

    In addition to the EU, Rwanda also launched a climate change mitigation plan today Rwanda launches national plan for Paris Agreement on climate change

    Another day, another set of cheap pronouncements.

  4. Re:U.S. is way ahead of them. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Better in what? Education? Quality of life? Access to affordable healthcare? Crime? Environment?

    Do tell.

  5. Re:U.S. is way ahead of them. by fred6666 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The U.S. has already reduced carbon faster than the EU.

    Wake me up when the U.S. has reduced carbon enough to get per capita emissions lower than the EU.