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Breakthrough as EU negotiators clinch deal on European climate law

(EurActiv, 21 Apr 2021) European Union negotiators reached a deal on the European Climate Law after 14 hours of talks on Wednesday (21 April), allowing the EU to go into this week’s US-hosted climate summit with an agreement on the bloc’s 2030 target.

After a long night that finished around 5am, negotiators from the European Parliament and EU member states reached an agreement on the European Climate Law that will enshrine the EU’s commitment to reaching climate neutrality by 2050.

As expected, the 2030 target was the big political fight of the night, but parties reached an agreement to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by “at least 55%” by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. That objective will therefore also become a legal obligation for the EU and its member states.

While the 55% target is lower than the 60% that Parliament had earlier voted for, EU member states made a concession to MEPs by agreeing to cap the contribution of carbon removals from land use, agriculture and forestry.

In addition, the European Commission agreed to consider increasing the contribution of carbon sinks in order to bump up the EU’s climate ambition to 57%, although this is not written in the law.

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EurActiv, 21 Apr 2021: Breakthrough as EU negotiators clinch deal on European climate law