The EU adopted the target of reducing “at least” 55% of carbon emissions by 2030
This agreement, which will be formally integrated into a “climate law” in preparation, comes on the eve of an international climate summit called by US President Joe Biden.
MEPs and the European Union states agreed on Wednesday to adopt the objective of reducing “at least 55%” of the EU’s net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to the 1990 level, announced the European Commission and several deputies.
This objective generated tough negotiations between the Twenty-seven, who in November agreed to a 55% reduction, and the European Parliament, which demanded a reduction of at least 60%.
This agreement on an EU goal, which will be formally integrated into a “climate law” in preparation, comes on the eve of an international climate summit called by US President Joe Biden. Washington must uncover its updated target for 2030.
For the European, UnionThis is a memorable moment. This agreement strengthens our position in the world as a leader in the fight against climate change, said Frans Timmermans, vice president of the Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, quoted in a statement.
For his part, the Portuguese Environment Minister, Joao Pedro Matos Fernandes, whose country holds the temporary presidency of the EU, greeted “a strong signal to the whole world” and an objective “engraved today in marble”.
Negotiations between states and MEPs, which had been stalled for months, lasted for 14 hours from Tuesday afternoon and concluded at 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
Certainly, Parliament was ready to go even further, but it is agreed to compromise: we will do two and a half times more work in Europe in nine years than in the last ten years, Said French MEP Pascal Canfin ( Renew, Liberals), Chairman of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee.
From now on, “the carbon neutrality target for 2050 will be legally binding,” added German MEP Peter Liese (PPE, pro-EU right) in a tweet.
Instead, he regretted that the target applies collectively to the Twenty-seven but is not imposed on each individual state, contrary to what Parliament wanted.
Poland, on the other hand, still heavily dependent on coal, fiercely opposed.
In the agreement reached, the object is a “net” reduction in greenhouse gas discharges. That is, it includes offsetting CO2 emissions by natural “carbon sinks,” through reforestation, for example.
The Commission recognizes the need to improve the EU’s + carbon dioxide + by identifying better practices for land and forest use.