EU plans to slash 30 percent of its energy usage by 2030December 1, 2016 - 13:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Even if the forthcoming Trump administration doesn't take climate change seriously, the European Union plans to slash its energy usage by nearly a third by the year 2030, Engadget said. By the terms of the Paris Climate Agreement, the EU already planned to cut carbon emissions by 40 percent over the same period, but the new usage goal will further eliminate waste by focusing on renewable energy sources and renovating older, less efficient buildings. "Today's proposals have three main goals," the European Commission wrote in a statement, "putting energy efficiency first, achieving global leadership in renewable energies and providing a fair deal for consumers." As the BBC notes, the EU will also create new incentives for smart metering and innovative design in order to help energy suppliers cut back, as well as empowering more Europeans to produce and sell their own electricity. "I'm particularly proud of the binding 30% energy efficiency target," Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete said, "as it will reduce our dependency on energy imports, create jobs and cut more emissions." For now, the plan is still in the proposal stages, but if passed by the European Parliament, the binding 30% energy efficiency target is expected to kickstart "up to 177 billion euros of public and private investment per year" from 2021 to 2030 and create some 900,000 new jobs on the continent. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |