Two Euros Each to Reduce European Emissions

According to a new study, people living in Europe have the potential to dramatically reduce levels of greenhouse gas emissions at a per capita cost of two Euros, or three Dollars.  Simultaneously, though, they would need to make cutbacks in terms of how much they’re prepared to drive, and how much meat they’re prepared to consume.  They would also need to be prepared to take the train (as opposed to fly on passenger aircraft) when making sub-1,000 kilometre trips, the study – issued by the Stockholm Environment Institute at the request of Friends of the Earth – asserts. 

The study is basically a series of recommendations linked to a projected European 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal of 40 per cent under 1990 levels.  This is twice as stringent as the current, official 2020 goal of 20 per cent – a figure that has attracted the attention of scientists who argue that it’s just not enough to keep global temperature rises at a sub-two degree level.  This scientific thought echoes within undeveloped nations, who point the finger of climate change blame at developed nations and are calling for a 40 per cent reduction under the 1990 threshold. 

Environmental Cost

According to the study, 40 per cent is not unachievable, but would come at cost, with a two trillion Euro figure (equivalent to approximately two per cent of Europe’s overall GDP over the coming ten years) put forward.  “Put another way, this [environmental] cost would be the equivalent of temporarily holding GDP constant for about one year before resuming normal growth”, the study explains.  The daily cost, per capita, would work out to around two Euros.

Reducing European Emissions

The study does not factor in the possible influence of new environmental technologies like CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) in reducing European emissions.  Neither does it fully account for the impact of carbon offset schemes.  What it does do is present a future model where people living in Europe are prepared to pay higher taxes and change the way they live, in order to preserve the environment.

“It's not just about investment, it's also about lifestyle changes”, Sonja Meister of FOEE (Friends of the Earth Europe) explained.  “This report shows one pathway that would see air travel in the EU cut by 10 per cent by 2020 and travel in private cars by 4 per cent.  Travel by rail would rise by 9 per cent, and meat consumption would be reduced by about 60 per cent.”