As the world prepares for the United Nations Climate Change Conference next year in Paris 2015, Europe is taking steps towards setting targets for future years’ emissions reduction goals. The hope of a binding international climate commitment remains despite past efforts that did not meet expectations, most noteably the events at the UN conference which took place in Copenhagen five years ago. Additionally, tensions are high as the international community speculates whether major emitter countries will come prepared with clear plans and targets to reach an international agreement in 2015.

The EU has released a new set of targets which include an emissions reduction goal of 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, energy efficiency improvements of 27% and a requirement that 27% of energy will come from renewable sources. These increased targets may not seem like much for nations who are already on track to hitting the 20/20/20 targets for 2020. However, it is a statement that signals the EU's committment to combatting climate chance to the rest of the world. Moreover, this EU agreement has the potential to inspire other nations to commit to their own targets going into Paris 2015, hopefully culminating in an international agreement on climate change.