MEPs of the European Parliament's Environment Committee on Wednesday 20 February in Brussels considered that an EU long-term climate strategy in line with the Paris Climate Agreement should aim for zero net emissions as soon as possible and by 2050 at the latest, which they believe requires the EU to raise its reduction target for 2030 to 55% compared to 1990 (instead of at least 40%).
This is the message of an own-initiative report adopted by a large majority (49 votes in favour, 6 against, 6 abstentions) on the communication “A clean planet for all”, in which the Commission sets out, in eight scenarios, its vision of a long-term strategy for the EU in 2020 to guide the transformations required by a climate-neutral economy by 2050 (see EUROPE 12158, 12148).
MEPs call on Heads of State and Government to support the EU's renewed climate ambition at the 9 May summit in Sibiu (Romania) on the future of the EU, ahead of the UN summit in September.
MEPs note that only two of the eight scenarios would achieve zero net emissions by 2050, the only objective compatible with the EU's commitments under the Paris Agreement. They also note that GNP would increase further in the most ambitious scenarios, but with disparities within the EU. They believe that with adequate support for the most vulnerable regions, sectors and citizens, the transition has the potential for net job creation. They advocate that due consideration be given to the social impacts of climate, national and EU policies.
MEPs believe that the Commission should develop an industrial strategy to enable European industry to remain competitive on a global scale, under conditions of fair competition. They would also like the Commission to examine the effectiveness of WTO-compatible measures to protect industries exposed to the risk of carbon leakage.
Parliament's vote is scheduled for the March plenary session (11-14). The subject, already discussed at the Competitiveness Council (see EUROPE 12196), will be discussed at the Environment Council on 5 March and at the European Council on 21-22 March (see EUROPE 12158). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)