LONDON, March 14 (UPI) -- The European community needs concrete plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions if it hopes to reach 2050 benchmarks, ministers said.
The European Commission last week outlined a low-carbon road map that calls on the community to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent of the 1990s levels by 2050.
European leaders in a letter to The Guardian newspaper in London welcomed the measure but said it fell short of a concrete plan.
"We believe it's vital such a plan starts now rather than in 40 years' time and is a plan that can stimulate the right investment in low-carbon infrastructure and technology, putting Europe on track for a low-carbon future," the letter reads.
The leaders stated that addressing low-carbon challenges will do more than help curb pressures from climate change. With oil and gasoline prices at post-recession highs, doing more in terms of energy efficiency will help shield the European community from any future shocks in the energy market.
"We call on all member states to enter into this urgent debate on Europe's future and agree how the road map is put into action -- ensuring that Europe gets to the front of this low-carbon race, rather than falling behind," the letter states.
The letter was signed by climate ministers from Denmark, Germany Greece, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom.
