On Tuesday 31 March, the European Commission launched a public consultation on its proposal to increase the European Union's climate ambition for 2030, and on the actions and policies needed to further reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
In September this year, the Commission will present a 'global plan' (non-legislative initiative) to increase the EU's climate target for 2030 from a 40% reduction in emissions, to at least a 50% reduction, and moving on towards a 55% reduction compared to emission levels in 1990.
This new climate target for 2030 “will put the EU on a more gradual pathway to climate-neutrality by 2050”, said the Commission. According to them, this will also allow them “to pace and focus transition efforts from now until 2050 and ensure the EU’s leadership role in addressing global challenges”.
With this in mind, the institution is currently carrying out an assessment of the impact of such an increase on the 2030 target in respect of the various economy sectors, as well as an analysis of the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP). While the second impact study is due to be presented on 3 June (see EUROPE 12454/35), the study on the 2030 objective is scheduled for September at the latest, a date believed by some to be too far away, given the COP26 deadline (see EUROPE 12438/3).
The European Commission will also propose a transposal of the new 2030 objective into Community law, first by amending its proposal for a ‘climate law’ as presented on 4 March (see EUROPE 12439/2) and then by means of sectoral legislative proposals.
In light of this new objective, the institution will assess legislation covering energy efficiency (Directive 2018/2002), renewable energy (Directive 2018/2001), effort sharing (Regulation 2018/842) and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS – Directive 2018/410).
Any contributions to the consultation can be submitted over the next 12 weeks, up to and including 23 June.
To access the public consultation: https://bit.ly/2QYz6tz (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)