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Agreement after a long fight at the EU summit. Until now, the goal was 40 percent fewer greenhouse gases.
These were tough, overnight negotiations, but thanks to the mediation of the German EU presidency, a breakthrough has now been made: the European Union is significantly adjusting its 2030 climate target. Greenhouse gas emissions are expected to fall at least 55 percent below the 1990 level.
This was decided by the EU heads of state and government after a long struggle at the EU summit on Friday morning, as announced by the head of the Council, Charles Michel, in Brussels. Until now, the goal was less than 40 percent
Tightening is required under the Paris climate agreement by the end of this year. Such a big step would be an important signal at the international level.
Trading for hours
The deal was preceded by hours of negotiations with Eastern European countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary, which had demanded more financial help for the transition from their coal-based power generation to non-fossil electricity production.
Some states in the eastern EU are highly dependent on coal and have a long way to go in the energy transition. They insisted on financial support.
Billions of pots are planned for this: a modernization fund that will feed off revenue from emissions trading; a fund for fair change, but also the 750 billion krona development fund, of which at least 30 percent will be used to implement climate goals. The budget package was recently blocked due to the veto of Hungary and Poland. A settlement in the budget dispute also paved the way for the climate decision at the summit.
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