It may take 21 hours, but the 27 member states of the European Union have agreed to toughen the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent to 1990 levels by 2030 – a big improvement over the 40 percent target set in 2019.
Last December, the European Commission – the executive arm of the political group – unveiled the European Green Deal, which set a goal of reaching zero-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Now, five years after the Paris Climate Agreement, the European Union has agreed to reduce emissions, amid growing concerns that protecting humanity from the ill effects of climate change would be impossible without strong leadership.
The increased target is shown in the EU 2 2.2 trillion coronavirus recovery recovery and long-term budget package that was finalized on Friday. The plan will be officially announced at the UN Climate Ambition Summit 2020 on December 12, the largest gathering of leaders from government, industry and civil society groups since the signing of the Paris Agreement.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen a To tweetSaying so His “ambitious proposal” of piece emissions would put the EU “on a clear path to climate neutrality in 2050”.
The agreement was reached after final talks began on Thursday, with some setbacks. Poland carried out the demanding process Future emissions targets are set by GDP, which means that poorer countries – such as Poland – may be more polluted than rich ones. It was a surprise ask Poland’s economy, a major contributor to emissions, depends on the use of coal.
The issue was raised, although members agreed to meet next year on the matter. This paved the way for the historic declaration that would make the EU a major leader in tackling climate change.
EU demonstrates leadership in curbing greenhouse gas emissions
As a group in the European Union, emissions cuts have long been a concern, but Friday’s announcement shows just how serious it is.
David Victor, a professor of international law at the University of California San Diego, told me, “How to maintain political support for climate change shows a strong commitment within Europe to the figure.” Victor calls the newly agreed goals “the most aggressive ever.”
The current German Chancellor is Angela Merkel The EU’s rotating presidency has said it is “deserving of a good night’s sleep” for the deal to take place. “I do not want to imagine what would have happened if we had not been able to achieve such results,” he told the press on Friday. Others, such as the President of the European Council Charles Mitchell – who has called for boulder action – agreed, Announcement The announcement proved that Europe is “the leader in the fight against climate change.”
But not everyone thinks the plan cuts are enough. Pascal Kenfin, chairman of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee, wants the cut to be 60 percent, not 55 percent. “Giving parliament 100 percent support helps progressive countries in the Council move up the ambitions,” Kenfin told the Guardian in October.
And it is not that the EU will only magically accomplish its goals. Now he must work hard to turn that ambition into reality.
“The announcements are relatively simple,” Victor said. “What’s really difficult is implementation. There is no date for it. That process is ongoing. ”
“The details really do matter, and real governments don’t start trying to meet these goals until many details are unknown,” Victor said, “but it’s certainly possible.”
Nevertheless, a tougher emissions benchmark is a new EU commitment to address climate change. Now the hope is that it will live up to its promise.
