3FOOD

Third Industrial Revolution Consulting Group
energy. The COP21 conference culminated in a global agreement on the reduction of climate
change. Important provisions include:
Holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2° C above preindustrial
levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5° C above
pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and
impacts of climate change
Increasing the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster
climate resilience and low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions development, in a manner
that does not threaten food production
The agreement will become legally binding once 55 parties that produce over 55% of the
world's GHG emissions have ratified it. Within the Intended Nationally Determined
Contributions (INDCs), individual countries will specify how they will contribute to the global
goals. 22
European Union Targets
The EU has three main sets of targets with respect to increasing the share of renewable energy,
increasing energy efficiency, and reducing GHG emissions among its Member States:
1. Renewable energy: Achieve at least 20% of total energy needs by renewable energy by
2020 and ensure at least 10% of transportation fuels come from renewable sources by
2020 23
2. Energy efficiency: Achieve 20% energy savings compared to projected 2020 energy
use 24
3. GHG emissions reductions: Achieve reductions in GHG emissions by 80%-95% by 2050 25
Europe’s Energy Roadmap 2050 explores pathways for the transition to a new energy system
that meets these GHG emissions goals while simultaneously promoting competitiveness and
security of supply. 26 In its analysis, the EU concludes that decarbonization is technically and
economically feasible. A European approach is expected to result in lower energy costs and
more secure energy supplies, compared to individual national schemes.
22 Luxembourg’s NDC is, understandably, not available yet, but will hopefully be inspired by the outcome of the TIR
project.
23 See http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategies/2020/index_en.htm and links therein.
24 See https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/energy-efficiency and links therein
25 See http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52011DC0885&from=EN
26 See https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/2012_energy_roadmap_2050_en_0.pdf
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