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New EU climate target proposal concern for German industry and NGOs

(Clean Energy Wire, 16 Sep 2020) German industry, politicians and environmental NGOs have criticised first details of the European Commission proposal for a more ambitious 2030 climate target. Plans for more stringent passenger car emission rules and the inclusion of emissions from the land use and forestry sector in reaching the target are particularly seen with reservations.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen revealed her proposal to increase the bloc’s 2030 climate target to "at least 55 percent" during her State of the European Union address on 16 September. What it means for Germany will only become clear over the coming months, but researchers say more legislative work will be necessary – only one year after chancellor Angela Merkel’s government agreed a landmark climate action programme at the end of 2019. Germany therefore faces a new round of difficult talks on additional measures to reach greenhouse gasreduction targets in a federal election year. [Update adds new reactions. Find a collection of German reactions at the bottom of the article.]

German politicians and industry have warned that a new, more ambitious EU 2030 climate target could overburden the bloc’s largest economy. Environmental NGOs, on the other hand, said the proposal to increase the target to at least 55 percent greenhouse gas reduction presented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is not enough to meet Paris Climate Agreement goals.

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Clean Energy Wire, 16 Sep 2020: New EU climate target proposal concern for German industry and NGOs