Ursula von der Leyen listens and takes the necessary adjustments / Task force for international emissions trading / Support for industry, agriculture and citizens instead of ever new bans / 90% remain very ambitious / Intensive debate required

The European Commission announced the possible EU climate target for 2040 today, Tuesday. Various versions of the Communication circulated in Brussels in the run-up to the announcement. The Commission has taken criticism, suggestions and praise into account in advance. “The farmers' protests of recent weeks in particular have shown that we need a good exchange with all parties involved in environmental and climate policy. There is no point in constantly imposing new bans while losing public support for climate protection. Ursula von der Leyen has listened to the people and has made the necessary adjustments with the Communication published today," explained Peter Liese, environmental policy spokesperson for the largest political group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats).

“It is very important that the EU steps up its international efforts. We cannot fight climate change alone. On the contrary: our partners around the world must also adopt climate measures as ambitious as those of the EU. I am therefore very pleased that the Commission has announced that it will set up a task force to provide advice and support to third countries in the introduction of emissions trading systems. I have been calling for this since COP28. Many third countries see how well emissions trading works in the EU and want to work with us. So far, however, they have had no contact point in the Commission. This must change quickly. The introduction of the task force could be the most cost-effective and efficient climate measure of all time. There certainly is enough interest in CBAM and ETS from third countries such as Brazil, South Korea and Singapore,” explained EPP-MEP Liese.

Liese considers parts of the Communication to be quite positive: “I appreciate the fact that the Commission is correctly interpreting the signs of the times and focuses on the right framework conditions for 2040 instead of overly strict bans. Although we adopted emission savings of 88% with our existing climate instruments, these must first be implemented correctly to actually make the reductions. The key to this are faster permitting procedures for key sectors, which will hopefully be decided in the short-term with the so-called Net Zero Industry Act in the trilogue with Parliament, Council and Commission. The promotion of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCU, CCS) as well as the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere (direct air capture) and other technical innovations are important to move us forward on the path to climate neutrality. I am therefore relieved to see that these technologies are a central point in the Commission's plans. The contributions by agriculture and forestry to climate protection are also recognized. Wording denouncing agriculture and describing it as the cause of climate change have disappeared from the text, thankfully. It is particularly important to provide targeted support for low-income families who, despite working hard, often do not have enough savings to make the necessary investments in climate-friendly measures. The Communication makes it clear once again that the member states must not only use the money from the Social Climate Fund (EUR 86.7 billion), but also the national revenues from EU emissions trading (approx. EUR 110 billion from ETS2) for this purpose. One thing remains clear: A 90% target is and remains extremely ambitious. In the coming months, we must discuss at length with all involved parties whether it is achievable and what we need to achieve it. The extent to which the European Greens have distanced themselves from the real situation on the ground is made clear by the fact that they are already calling for a 100% reduction by 2040, something that not even the German Greens, currently part of the German government and already quite distanced, are demanding.