At their meeting on Thursday 23 October, EU leaders are expected to focus on climate and competitiveness issues, just a few weeks ahead of COP30 in Brazil and at a time when the EU is striving to become more competitive. A version of the European Council’s draft conclusions, dated 17 October and obtained by Agence Europe, attests to the sensitivity of these issues, with more and more Member States wishing to frame the climate effort so that it does not hamper competitiveness.
This is reflected in the extensive but cautious language on the interim climate target of 2040 before carbon neutrality in 2050. The authors of the draft conclusions call for a 2040 target that is “realistic and coherent”.
In their view, there are three factors that need to be taken into account when setting the 2040 target: - the contribution of carbon sinks to the emissions reduction strategy; - an adequate level of international carbon credits; - a review clause to take account of economic challenges and technological advances.
In a letter sent to the leaders of the EU27 ahead of Thursday’s meeting, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has already included some of these points, in particular the one on international credits. She presents them as an opportunity for the EU to be flexible on the target of reducing emissions by 90% by 2040, while capitalising on the EU’s international partnerships.
CO2 emission standards for cars. In addition, the heads of state or government are expected to call on the Commission to rapidly present its proposal for the revision of CO2 emission standards for light vehicles and to take account of the principle of technological neutrality.
Here again, the President of the Commission is on the side of the Member States, promising to guarantee the principle of technological neutrality in the revision of standards. “In preparing the review, we are also assessing the role of zero and low-carbon fuels in the transition to zero emission road transport beyond 2030, such as e-fuels - to which I already committed in the Political Guidelines - and advanced biofuels”, writes Ursula von der Leyen in her letter.
ETS 2. She is also anticipating another issue that does not feature in the leaders’ draft conclusions: the extension of the emissions trading system to the road transport and buildings sectors (ETS 2), which she defends.
“Several of you have shared concerns” about the implementation of ETS 2, says the President of the Commission, but “I remain convinced that a market-based approach, in conjunction with other measures, is the right way to modernise these sectors”.
She announced as well that the European Commissioner for Climate Change, Wopke Hoekstra, will be presenting “proposals to address concerns of too high or volatile prices” to the environment ministers on Tuesday 21 October.
To see the draft conclusions of the European Council: https://aeur.eu/f/j1e
To see the letter from the President of the European Commission: https://aeur.eu/f/j1q (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)