The European Parliament wants a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 but the Council is struggling to agree to a 55% target. The Commission’s 2030 Climate Target Plan makes it clear that reaching a 55% target by 2030 is going to require action from all sectors, with the brunt of the effort falling on the power generation, transport and buildings sectors. What is going to be required is no mean feat – so it’s hardly surprising that those member states that are most reliant on coal/fossil fuels are seriously worried about how much this is going to cost them. Which in turn is also delaying agreement on the EU’s recovery package and multiannual budget.
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EU heads of state struggle to agree on 55% reduction by 2030 climate target
Germany, which holds the rotating EU presidency, decided to postpone a possible agreement to the summit on December 10.
Eleven countries, including France, Spain and the Netherlands, expressed their support for a reduction of “at least 55%” in a joint letter on Wednesday.
But several Eastern European countries are opposed, including Poland, which is still heavily dependent on coal and refuses to commit to carbon neutrality.
Leaders agreed to postpone the deal until countries have more information on the national impact of the target. That could placate Poland, which has said it cannot back a new climate goal without this analysis.
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