Statement by Connie Hedegaard on the United States Clean Power Plan announcement
European Commission
Statement
Brussels, 2 June 2014
Statement by Connie Hedegaard i on the United States Clean Power Plan announcement
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a plan to cut carbon emissions from power plants by 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030.
Welcoming this step forward, EU Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said: ''This proposed rule is the strongest action ever taken by the U.S. government to fight climate change, which is good news and also shows that the United States is taking climate change seriously. If implemented as planned, this measure will help the country meet its 2020 emissions target . This of course sends a positive signal ahead of the Paris conference to finalise a new global climate agreement next year. But for Paris to deliver what is needed to stay below a 2°C increase in global temperature, all countries, including the United States, must do even more than what this reduction trajectory indicates. Nevertheless, this is an important step for an administration and a President really investing politically in fighting climate change.''
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