European cabinet ministers responsible for energy and climate change met yesterday in Brussels to lay out their vision for a low carbon economy.

A pamphlet signed by ministers at the European Green Growth Summit set out three priorities for the European Union: agreeing on ambitious 2030 targets; reforming the structure of the Emissions Trading Scheme and ensuring the EU is able to offer up large emissions reductions at the World Leader’s Climate Summit in autumn next year.

The pamphlet also re-affirmed the scientific basis for man-made climate change and highlighted the benefits climate change measures could have for other policy goals such as reducing fuel poverty and improving public health.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey said: “Businesses and investors are telling us that the EU needs to get its act together and that we need to urgently agree a 2030 Climate and Energy Framework and reform the EU ETS. Only then will investors have the confidence to put the billions into low carbon that we need.

“The consequences of inaction are clear.  The stakes are high, if we do not act, we could all lose out in the low carbon race.”

Connie Hedegaard, EU Commissioner for Climate Action added: “Europe is the living proof that there is no contradiction between being green and growing the economy. Actually it is interesting that some of our greenest member states in Europe also are among those with the most solid economies.”