According to a proposal by the European Commission, the European Union plans to step up its 2030 climate change target. The draft proposed a target to cut domestic greenhouse gas emissions at least 55% by 2030, against the 1990 baseline. This proposed target is more ambitious than the current 2030 target of cutting emissions by 40% from 1990 levels. According to the Commission, a lower 2030 climate target would result in a failure to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The proposed deal will require approval from EU leaders who will meet at a summit on December 10-11. If agreed, it would be the world’s first new climate pledge under the 2015 UN Paris climate accord, before a year-end deadline to do so. According to the draft, the target 2030 climate target will be achieved “collectively” by EU members. It will also take accounts into different national circumstances and the upcoming reforms in the EU carbon market.
Previously, the Czech Republic said it could support the 55% target if it is done EU-wide, not individually by each country. Meanwhile, coal-reliant Poland said it would study the economic impact before signing the new target. It also called for EU carbon market reforms to provide funds to help poorer states invest in low-carbon energy.
