Business Green ‘ Cameron hails EU climate agreement as an end to green energy diktats, but Green MP Caroline Lucas says lack of binding energy savings target is bad for consumers and businesses. David Cameron has hailed an “ambitious” deal struck by the European Union last week to slash greenhouse gases by at least 40 per cent by 2030, dismissing accusations from the Green Party that the lack of a binding energy savings target would harm the economy. The Prime Minister today said the decision to avoid binding “diktats” to increase national renewable energy generation and reduce energy wastage would prevent costs “piling up” for industries, consumers and “hardworking families”. Speaking in the House of Commons, Cameron declared that the agreement was “another example of where British leadership has helped the EU to step up and meet its international obligations, while at the same time protecting our national interests”.

The Council agreed to cut carbon emissions by “at least 40 per cent” by 2030 based on 1990 levels. Leaders also set a target to source “at least” 27 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2030, but confirmed that the goal would only be binding at an EU level and would not be translated into specific member state targets. Following intense lobbying from the UK, European leaders also resisted calls for a binding energy efficiency target, instead agreeing a voluntary goal to cut energy use by “at least 27 per cent” by 2030. Cameron said that in rejecting national technology-specific targets, the UK would have “full flexibility” over “how we reduce our carbon, allowing us to do so at the lowest possible cost for businesses and consumers”. Click here to read more