European Parliament’s Environment Committee calls for ambitious climate target for 2035
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Discussion about the ‘magic 90%’ for 2040 must not cloud the debate on the international process any further / The European Union has already embarrassed itself / Better to make compromises now than accept endless deadlock
The European Parliament's Environment Committee has voted by a large majority in favour of an ambitious climate target for 2035. “We call on the environment ministers to adopt a target at the upper end of the range under discussion as soon as possible,” said Peter Liese, spokesperson for environmental and climate policy for the largest political group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats).
In September, the environment ministers were unable to agree on the so-called ‘NDC’ and merely wrote a non-binding ‘letter of intent’ to the United Nations, in which they announced that they would adopt a target of between 66.25% and 72.5%. This was the second time that the European Union had missed a UN deadline. Many other countries are now hiding behind the EU and have also failed to report any targets. In contrast, the UK, Japan, Brazil, and others had already reported targets before the first deadline in January, with China and Australia following suit in September.
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European Union misses UN deadline
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Peter Liese: China announces rather unambitious NDC / Bad days for global climate and for Europe’s competitiveness / Fast decision and pragmatism are needed before the COP in Belém
“These have been very bad days for the global climate and for Europe’s competitiveness,” said Peter Liese, spokesperson for climate policy for the biggest group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats). On Tuesday, 23rd September, the UNFCCC parties were supposed to set their NDC for 2035. The environmental ministers of the EU were only able to agree on a letter of intent which does not classify as an NDC. Yesterday, China pledged that they will only reduce their emission by 7-10% in the next ten years. “While it is good that finally China comes with a reduction target, it is much lower than expected and unfortunately, the European Union is partly responsible for this. If Europe misses the deadline, those that argue for ambition in other parts of the world, have less support. I am really afraid that the international process will collapse and that would also be very bad for the European Union’s competitiveness as well,” said Liese.
New focus needed for environment and climate policy
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Peter Liese: Priority for climate policy over other environment targets / More attention to emissions trading / Abolishing the ban on the combustion engine does not harm climate protection
“We urgently need a new focus in European climate and environmental policy. We must focus on climate protection and stop trying to achieve all other environmental goals at the same time, and we must concentrate on the most important instruments, namely emissions trading. Weakening or even abolishing this most important climate instrument would equal the end of European climate policy. On the other hand, abolishing the ban on the combustion engine does not harm the climate at all if done correctly,” said Dr Peter Liese, spokesperson for climate and environment policy for the largest political group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats), on the occasion of the publication of a report by the European Environment Agency.
Read more: New focus needed for environment and climate policy
Mercosur agreement benefits the climate / Probably decisive step towards stabilizing the Paris Agreement after Trump's withdrawal
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Probably decisive step towards stabilizing the Paris Agreement after Trump's withdrawal
“I very much welcome the fact that the European Commission has now formally submitted the Mercosur agreement for ratification. This is not only a decisive step for our economy, but also for the climate,” said Peter Liese, spokesperson on climate and environmental policy for the largest political group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats).
“We must become less dependent on China and the U.S. in order to secure jobs in Europe. This is not a contradiction to climate protection. Ursula von der Leyen has succeeded in ensuring that the Paris Climate Agreement is an essential component of the Mercosur agreement. This is the only reason why President Javier Milei did not follow the way of Donald Trump and leave the Paris Agreement. If Argentina had left, it could have triggered a very serious chain reaction and the Paris Agreement might already be at an end.