European Parliament approves historic CO2 reduction by 60% by 2030

Brussels, 8 October 2020 - MEPs yesterday approved the European Parliament's amended version of the European Climate Law, which includes a historic 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the next 10 years. The goal is to achieve climate neutrality in the European Union (EU) by 2050. 

“Although we fought with the Greens/EFA for a 65% reduction in GHG, we managed to get closer to that value, which would not have happened without the persistent commitment of this political family,” reveals MEP Francisco Guerreiro (Greens/EFA). 

On a proposal from the European Parliament's (EP) Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, the plenary voted in favour of an unprecedented reduction in emissions more ambitious than that envisaged by the European Commission (EC), initially set at 40%. The target of 55% was only announced last September. 

The proposal foresees, in addition to reducing GHGs by 60% compared to 1990 levels, a budget for carbon dioxide, which will determine the amount of CO2 that EU Member States will be allowed to emit, and an independent scientific climate council. Another positive aspect of this regulation is the requirement that, at both EU and Member State level, zero net GHG emissions should be achieved by 2050.

This proposal also reached a commitment for the EU and all Member States to have adaptation strategies, on 31 January 2021 and 31 December 2021, respectively, as well as the revision of these strategies every 5 years. 

Also established was the importance of carrying out a review of the Climate Law every five years to ensure compliance with the Paris Agreement and that, on 1 June 2021, the EU will review its entire financing framework, funds and instruments, to ensure the continuation of the Law.

The EP and the European Council will now enter into negotiations with a view to reaching an agreement on the final legislation. 

“This agreement, however audacious it may be, cannot be applied if we continue to defend a Common Agricultural Policy with the same principles, that is, the subsidization of highly polluting industries and the continuous degradation of biodiversity,” concludes Francisco Guerreiro.

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