Global Wind Powers Ahead – Can cover up to 70% of Pledges

The wind power industry released figures showing how wind power could meet up to 70% of Copenhagen pledges on the basis of current growth rates and projections for 2020. A new report released by the European Wind Energy association showed how wind power alone will contribute to 31% of the emissions reductions required by the current EU climate target, and called on the EU as well as other countries in the negotiations to raise their level of ambition.

The huge contribution of wind power in Europe 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 new EWEA report Wind Energy and Climate Policy also analyses the impact of wind energy on the international greenhouse gas reduction pledges. "An ambitious renewable energy target for 2030 and increased climate targets inside the EU would provide much needed regulatory stability to energy investors" said Rémi Gruet, EWEA's Senior Advisor on Climate and Environment.

“While the negotiations proceed at a snail’s pace, wind power is racing ahead”, said Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of the Global Wind Energy Council. “Wind and other renewable technologies are playing a larger role than anyone could have anticipated a few years ago. But we need ambitious emission reduction targets in order to reach our full potential, and spur the other measures necessary to close the emissions gap. As the IEA pointed out in their new World Energy Outlook, we have five years to turn the tide, or reaching the 2°C target could be practically out of reach”.