EU environment ministers back bolder climate action by 2030

Environment ministers of the European Union met today to discuss their position on the EU Climate Law. Following the recent position of the Parliament which called for an increase of the EU’s 2030 climate target to 60% emission cuts, several ministers advocated for upgrading the proposed goal to 60-65% to stay on track with the Paris Agreement and prevent dangerous climate change.

“A large majority of EU countries already backs increasing the climate target to at least 55% cuts. Even better, the environment ministers of Denmark and Sweden today voiced their support for a 65% reduction in emissions in line with the Paris Agreement, followed by Finland supporting a 60% goal. These clearly echoe the call from their governments that more emissions reductions will be needed to address the climate crisis” reacted Wendel Trio, Director of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe.

Trio added: “The few EU countries who are not yet on board of higher climate ambition must see the writing on the wall. Higher climate targets are the only way to reduce escalating economic costs of insufficient climate action. They will be supported through the 550 billion euros the EU budget and recovery fund should deliver to make up for the green investments gap these countries have been faced with so far.”

Under a business as usual scenario, climate change impacts are expected to cost the EU over 175 billion euros by mid-century, with costs to Southern and Central and Eastern European economies being double than average. Earlier this month, over 180 business associations, NGOs, and local authorities representatives from Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia called on their prime ministers to step up for the most ambitious EU 2030 climate target.

The increase of the EU’s 2030 climate target to at least 65% emission cuts, as required by the latest available science and equity, is feasible and pays off socially and economically according to various studies.

Under the Paris Agreement, all countries must submit new, increased 2030 climate pledges by the end of this year. According to the conclusions of the last European Council, an EU agreement should take place at the December European Council, on the eve of the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement organised by the United Nations.

ENDS

Contact:
Nicolas Derobert, Head of communications, nicolas@caneurope.org, +32 483 62 18 88

Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is Europe’s leading NGO coalition fighting dangerous climate change. With over 170 member organisations active in 38 European countries, representing over 1.500 NGOs and more than 47million citizens, CAN Europe promotes sustainable climate, energy and development policies throughout Europe.