Climate policy By 2030, the CO2emissions in Europe are reduced by 55 percent, instead of the previously agreed 40 percent. The European Commission wants to show that the crisis does not stand in the way of climate ambitions.
To avoid making the way down too steep, you must start the descent in time. That is the message from the European Commission this week, when it significantly increases the emissions reduction target for 2030. On Wednesday, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will officially present the Commission's new ambition during her so-called 'State of the Union' speech in the European Parliament.
The European Union previously agreed on the ambition for 2050 CO2-neutral, but for 2030 the aim is for the time being to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent (compared to 1990). It became clear earlier that this is far too little for a realistic timeline. That is why we are now aiming for a reduction of 55 percent. With this new, more ambitious 'interim goal', Brussels is further mapping out the route. This also means that the European climate plans will now become more concrete and difficult choices will be made. A climate-neutral 2050 may be a distant and abstract ideal, but a nailed-down picket post in ten years' time will bring drastic and sometimes painful or expensive measures a lot closer.
Choice of own 'maximum'
For the time being, the Commission is now only sketching the contours of possible measures, as it did last year with its total climate package under the name 'Green Deal'. For example, she reiterates the intention to expand the ETS emissions trading system to aviation and maritime shipping and possibly also road transport, the number of emission allowances will be reduced and emission standards for cars must be tightened.
Except the CO2-neutral goal is in fact still very little set in stone. There will be heated discussions about all proposals and measures in the coming months and years between Member States, all of which have different interests. By establishing this goal, the Commission cannot enforce policies or measures.
But it is not insignificant that Brussels is keeping up the pace with its climate ambitions in the middle of a global pandemic. Last year, European Commissioner for Climate Frans Timmermans emphasized that a new reduction target for 2030 would be between 50 and 55 percent. By now opting for its own 'maximum', the Commission is sending the signal that it is by no means weakening its ambitions.
A 55 percent reduction is significant, but Brussels estimates it as feasible: not only technically, but also – crucially – economically and politically. An extensive impact assessment that the Commission is also presenting this week should serve as substantiation for this. According to Brussels' calculations, the corona crisis in particular creates an excellent opportunity to fully focus on green recovery and sustainable investments. Because billions in investments will be made available through the new recovery fund, but also because European member states have agreed to implement economic reforms in which the climate transition must play an important role.
Billions in climate policy
Naturally, it must be proven in practice how green the recovery plans actually are. But both France and Germany have already announced ambitious investment packages in recent months, investing billions in climate policy. Germany in particular is seen in Brussels as crucial for the success of the green ambitions. At the beginning of this year, the German signature was still missing from a letter from twelve member states (including the Netherlands) asking for a reduction target of 55 percent for 2030. But Chancellor Angela Merkel now also explicitly supports that goal. As the presiding EU country, Germany can exert influence in the negotiations over the next six months.
At the same time, there is also fear that green ambitions will easily be sidelined if the economic recession really makes itself felt in the coming months and years. The statement by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš was telling, who - even before the pandemic took hold of Europe in mid-March - called for all green goals to be jettisoned for the time being in order to combat the corona crisis. In July, six Central European member states, including Poland and Hungary, called on Timmermans to set a 'realistic target' and prevent an 'additional burden on the weakest and poorest Europeans'.
Both climate organizations and green politicians believe the goal does not go far enough. They argue for a faster reduction, to 60 or 65 percent in 2030. The European Parliament's Environment Committee also voted last week for a 60 percent reduction.
The 'interim goal' announced this week will be added to the climate law that the Commission presented in March this year and which legally sets out the goal of a climate-neutral EU by 2050. That law also still needs to be negotiated between the Member States and the European Parliament. But the fact that it still appears that the law will be adopted before the end of this year indicates that corona has not hindered European climate plans so far.
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