The challenge of climate change, and what we do about it, will define us, our era, and ultimately, our global legacy.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, 2007

Global policies

The UNFCCC long-term objective is 'to stabilise atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system'. The Kyoto Protocol is a first step to achieve this. It sets emission reduction targets for many industrialised countries, including most EU Member States, and limits the emission increases of the remaining countries:

• The 15 pre-2004 EU Member States (EU-15) have a joint emission reduction target of 8 % below 1990 levels by 2008–2012 below 1990 levels ( video). Through an internal EU agreement some EU Member States are allowed increases in emissions, while others should decrease emissions.
• Most EU-12 Member States (that joined the EU since 1 May 2004) have targets of – 6 to – 8 % from their base years (mostly 1990).
  

The United States of America, which have high greenhouse gas emissions, have not ratified the Protocol.

Countries are expected to meet their target mainly through domestic policies and measures. They are allowed to meet part of their emission reduction targets by investing in emission reducing projects in developing countries ( Clean Developing Mechanism, CDM) or in developed ones ( Joint Implementation). The CDM is also meant to support sustainable development, e.g. by financing renewable energy projects.

The IPCC calls for global emission reductions of about 50 % by the middle of the 21st century. This implies 60–80 % reduction of emissions by developed countries. Developing countries with large emissions, such as China, India and Brazil, will have to limit their emission growth.

A post-2012 international agreement is being negotiated within the UNFCCC, with the latest conference held in Poznan in December 2008 agreeing on a work programme for 2009. The aim is to reach an agreement at the climate conference that will take place from 7 to 18 December 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

European Union policies

Climate change mitigation (reduction of greenhouse gases)

Many European countries have adopted national programmes aimed at reducing emissions. Various policies and measures have also been adopted at the EU level through the European Climate Change Programme, for example:

• increased use of renewable energy (wind, solar, biomass) and combined heat and power installations;
• improvements in energy efficiency in e.g. buildings, industry, household appliances;
• reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from new passenger cars;
• abatement measures in manufacturing industry;
• measures to reduce emissions from landfills.
  

The EU's carbon dioxide Emission Trading Scheme ( video) is the cornerstone of EU efforts to reduce emissions cost-effectively.

In March 2007, the EU leaders endorsed an ambitious climate change and energy plan to limit EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 % by 2020 (from 1990 levels) and achieve, by 2020, a target of 20 % of total EU primary energy use through renewable energy.

In January 2008, the European Commission proposed an energy and climate package to achieve objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and boosting renewable energies by 2020 (video):

• Emissions from sectors not included in the EU ETS – such as transport, housing, agriculture and waste – will be cut by 10% from 2005 levels by 2020. Each Member State will contribute to this effort according to its relative wealth, with national emission targets ranging from -20% for richer Member States to +20% for poorer ones.
• For energy-intensive sectors, such as steel and chemicals, the EU will strengthen its emission trading scheme (ETS) to help reach the 20% objective.
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will require an increased use of renewable energies, which also implies a more diversified energy supply for Europe.
• Additional emission reductions will be achieved from measures targeting aviation ( video), CO₂ and cars  ( video), and carbon capture and storage ( video).

Following an agreement between the European Council and the European Parliament on the climate and energy package in December 2008, six legislative acts were adopted on 23 April 2009.

Adaptation to climate change

Some EEA member countries have prepared National Climate Change Adaptation Strategies or have started preparing these. The European Commission published a Green Paper on 'Adapting to climate change in Europe — options for EU action' in 2007 and a White Paper on adaptation to climate change in 2009 (EU policy on climate change and adaptation).

More information:

• the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change;
• the European Commission Directorate-General for Environment;
• the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.