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RWI Positionen #62

Teuer und ineffizient: Die Emissionsminderung der EU

Trotz weltweiter Vorreiterrolle bewirkt die EU-Klimapolitik wenig und hat womöglich sogar kontraproduktive Effekte

The European Union (EU) plays a leading role in the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions. But the EU's cutting-edge status is not only inefficient, it may also be counterproductive, as ambitious emissions reduction targets may encourage other countries to curb their reduction efforts. The EU plays just a minor role in worldwide emission levels in comparison with high emitting countries such as China and the United States. More reasonable alternatives to ambitious unilateral abatement measures are international agreements on raising funds for R&D on energy saving technologies as well as adaptation strategies to global warming from which each country will benefit directly.