On Wednesday 23 April, ahead of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30), to be held from 10 to 21 November in Belém (Brazil), MEPs on the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) held an exchange of views with the Director-General of the European Commission’s DG CLIMA (Climate Action), Kurt Vandenberghe, on European preparations for the international climate negotiations.
During the discussion, several MEPs questioned the Commission on the European Union’s ability to maintain its climate leadership in the light of the latest geopolitical changes.
Lídia Pereira (EPP, Portuguese) questioned the possibility of redefining climate responsibilities. “Some things have become obsolete; for example, the classification of certain developing countries”, she said.
And she argued for greater consideration to be given to economic and technological criteria: “There are emerging economies that now play a central role in international trade and greenhouse gas emissions. (...) For example, I’m thinking of China and India; these are countries that must assume their responsibilities”.
She questioned the Commission’s representative on this point: “How can the European Union continue to lead the way in redefining this classification of developing countries?”
And she added: “What is the European Union’s vision for an ETS system in a global carbon market that guarantees climate justice and prevents carbon leakage?”
Climate target. The issue of European climate targets for 2040 was also raised (see EUROPE 13609/1).
Annalisa Corrado (S&D, Italian) recalled that there was an urgent need to strengthen climate commitments. And with good reason: “the EU has a historic duty (...) to revive confidence in multilateralism and in the benefits of decarbonisation”.
The Italian MEP called for an ambitious and updated European nationally determined contributions (NDC). She also called for the target of a 90% reduction in emissions by 2040 to be based on reliable instruments with reduced flexibility.
Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE, French) also questioned the European approach: “Europe is increasingly isolated, and not just in the environmental field. (...) We are running the risk of scuppering our industry by following an over-hasty green agenda”.
She also referred to a geopolitical context that is not very favourable to international commitments, mentioning “the re-election of Donald Trump, the Commission’s review of the ‘Green Deal’ and the proliferation of coal-fired power stations in China”.
Kurt Vandenberghe pointed out that the European target of reducing emissions by 90% by 2040 had been formulated on the basis of an in-depth impact analysis. “Once we have an agreement on the target for 2040, we will see how to optimise and update our ‘Climate’ legislation (...) in order to achieve this target”, he said.
It also relied on the Emissions Trading System (ETS), which he believes is linked to a competitive industrial transition.
With regard to NDCs for 2035, he said: “We will be putting forward a proposal concerning the 2040 target. This will make it possible to deduct the contributions defined at a national level for 2035”.
The Commission therefore intends to present this contribution “for the United Nations Synthesis Report in September”.
The Director-General also maintained that the European Union continues to play a major role on the international stage.
He cited recent discussions with China, Mexico, Canada and Brazil. In his view, “a very good example of leadership” is the effective implementation of Europe’s climate commitments.
Virtual meeting of leaders on climate and just transition. The debate in the ENVI Committee took place at the end of a restricted virtual meeting attended by 17 Heads of State and Government, including the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, António Costa. The meeting, dedicated to climate action, was organised by the Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres.
In a statement to the press, Mr Guterres said: “We cannot allow climate commitments to be blown off course” by the current crises.
The leaders present agreed to submit enhanced plans.
António Guterres welcomed China’s commitment. “President Xi said that those Nationally Determined Contributions would cover all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases. It’s the first time that China clarifies this point, and this is extremely important”, he said. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)