Even while science is unambiguously telling us that even 2°C of warming would be highly dangerous for our planet, many people are rapidly losing all confidence that we will be able to prevent this level of warming or even far more.  But a climate catastrophe can be averted. 

This report examines how Europe can show leadership in keeping global climate change within these limits: firstly, by undertaking domestic actions to rapidly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), and secondly, by fulfilling its international obligations to help other countries address the twin crises of climate change and development.

The report first analyzes how Europe can embark on a domestic transition to a low GHG future – enabling it to achieve GHG emissions reductions of 40% by 2020 and close to 90% by 2050 relative to 1990 levels through a combination of radical improvements in energy efficiency, the accelerated retirement of fossil fuels and a dramatic shift toward various types of renewable energy forms.

Next, the report assesses Europe’s international obligations for assisting the world’s developing nations make a transition to a low-GHG future by using the Greenhouse Development Rights (GDRs) framework as a basis for assessing fair contributions to a global climate effort.

The report, which was developed in partnership with Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE), was published on December 1st, 2009.

Below you can access:

• The main report.

• An SEI Policy Brief on the Study.

• A summary of the study by Friends of the Earth Europe entitled 'The 40% Study - Mobilising Europe to achieve climate justice.

• A press release and media briefing.

• A PowerPoint Presentation describing the report.

• Access to the LEAP software used to create the report's analysis.

• Summary results (Excel spreadsheet tables).