News

European wind power production will meet a massive 31% of the emissions reduction required by the current EU climate target

On November 9th the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) published a new report revealing that by 2020, the EU wind industry would avoid 342 million tonnes of CO2, equivalent to 31% of the EU's target of reducing emissions by 20%. If emissions avoided by other renewable electricity technologies are included, the equivalent of almost half (48%) of the EU's target of reducing emissions by 20% is avoided.

The huge contribution of wind power shows it is possible for the EU to move from a 20% to a 30% emissions reduction target. If the EU was to move to a 30% target, wind energy could still provide the equivalent of 20% of the reduction. The report also analyses the impact of wind energy on the EU's Emissions Trading System (ETS) emission reduction targets and the international greenhouse gas reduction pledges.